Trees for Larimer, Homewood
The greening of Larimer continues tomorrow with the planting of seven trees on Larimer Avenue between Mayflower and Carver.
From 9a to 2p, representatives from Grow Pittsburgh, Tree Pittsburgh and the neighborhood will plant Cornelion Cherry dogwood, Pawpaw, and hazelnut trees across from the Larimer Community Farm and Gardens. 
This planting is one of two enabled with a $5,000 grant from The Alliance for Community Trees, a national non-profit, to Tree Pittsburgh.
The other is next Saturday at the Homewood YMCA Urban Garden, also from 9a to 2p. the crews will plant service berry, hazelnut, and Asian pears.
Both projects are in partnership with Grow Pittsburgh. The sites will become part of a network of local People’s Gardens that are supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s People’s Garden Initiative.
To learn more or to volunteer, visit Tree Pittsburgh or call 412-362-6360.
Tree Pittsburgh informs us that tree species were selected by community volunteers and that small-scale classes in orchard care were held in July for the local residents who will be caring for the trees.
More than 80 people took the class taught by Michael Phillips, orchard operator, consultant and author.
The Alliance for Community Trees’ People’s Garden Grant Program is a national initiative this year “to explore and deepen the connection between trees and urban agriculture,” Tree Pittsburgh wrote in a notice. “With support from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, ACTrees has provided funding to 30 communities in 21 states to plant trees that produce fruit and nuts or provide shelter to community gardens.”
Tree Pittsburgh's executive director Danielle Crumrine says, “the opportunity to plant fruit and nut trees and provide education around their care is something that we’ve wanted to do for a few years since the demand from the public is constant. The fact that we get to partner with Grow Pittsburgh makes the project even more exciting, and the two groups see this as the first step toward a meaningful and lasting partnership.”
The Homewood site is a garden that Mary Savage, a founding member of Tree Pittsburgh, started several years ago. The Nov. 3 planting will include a tribute to her as she finishes her term on its board.
Miss Mary’s Garden is tended by high school students in the Y’s after-school Lighthouse program at Westinghouse Academy. They grow food that they share for Lighthouse dinners and donate to the Y’s weekly food pantry.
The Larimer Community Farm and Garden, located in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood, is finishing up its 4th season of production under the management of the Larimer Green Team, most of who are Tree Tenders (trained by Tree Pittsburgh).
Photo of Cornelion cherry dogwood from the Iowa State University