Local arborists from Pittsburgh, PA, share information about the trees they encounter for preservation or removal.
Trees Commonly Found in the Local Canopy
Pennsylvania is home to a wide variety of biomes that support hundreds of species of plant life. In fact, 134 tree species are native to Pennsylvania, and the local environment supports 62 non-native species from the inland mountain ranges to the coastal plain. Because of this diversity, local arborists have to have a wide array of experience and knowledge to understand how to care for and cultivate each tree species.
Here are a few examples of local tree life that arborists commonly encounter and some information on statewide efforts to reestablish forests.
Common Hardwood Species
Hardwood species are prized for their hardiness in harsh weather conditions, as well as the usefulness of each species. Hardwoods are great at providing shade and aesthetic value to a property and are a natural resource for fine woodworking materials. Some of the hardwoods commonly found in the area are:
- Sugar Maple: Several varieties of maple trees are native to Pennsylvania, but one of the most economically important is the sugar maple. Growing on the moist mountainside slopes, sugar maples produced $7.5 million worth of syrup last year.
- White Ash: Growing in rich soils in the lower portions of the state, white ash trees are massive hardwood trees that are harvested for baseball bats and tool handles.
- Black Gum: Common in wet conditions near streams, this large tree has unique fruit and beautiful foliage in the fall.
Common Evergreen Species
Evergreen species offer a visual break during the long winters. Instead of shedding leaves every fall, an evergreen continues to grow during the winter. Most evergreens are prized as ornamentals, but a few types have commercial value that has been over-exploited in the past. A few local evergreen varieties are:
- Pitch Pine: Historically, it has been one of the most significant trees, and these were used to produce tar and turpentine. These trees are found statewide and help prevent fires due to their thick, fire-resistant bark.
- Eastern Hemlock: The state tree of Pennsylvania, this species is found throughout the state. These trees are long-lived and can reach up to 140 feet in height.
Local Conservation Efforts
When European settlers arrived over 400 years ago, much of the state was densely forested. With hand-powered steel tools, they set out to remove vast swaths of forest in favor of farmland and grazing areas for livestock. Since then, conservation efforts have preserved 2.2 million acres of old-growth forest and allowed many other areas to reestablish. Efforts continue to preserve the biodiversity of Pennsylvania forests with incentives for planting native species and creating private designated sanctuaries.
To protect the natural diversity of local forests, the state maintains a list of threatened and endangered plant and tree species. Once a species has made it onto the list, it becomes a crime to damage or kill the plant or tree. By taking international measures to protect endangered and threatened species and allowing for easy designation as a sanctuary, the state is able to protect and expand the forests in the state.
About Greater Pitt Tree Service
Greater Pitt Tree Service is a company founded and operated by arborists dedicated to the well-being of the local biome. They have over 25 years of experience in tree health and conservation, as well as safe tree removals and logging. Call today for tree service in Pittsburgh, PA.