Urban Archeology: What’s in that tree pit anyway?
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Center City District, Lager Raabe Skafte Landscape Architect and James Farr Landscape, recently had the opportunity to excavate, exhume and examine several tree trenches in Center City Philadelphia to find out what’s really happening below ground. This panel presentation will show what we found. It may sound simple but it really is challenging to provide a beneficial growing environment for the trees while maintaining a level walking surface for the pedestrian. Funded by a special project grant from TreeVitalize, a dozen tree trenches were retrofitted with different combinations of structural soil to test the best fix for subsidence and poor tree growth.
Karen Clancy, RLA, ASLA
Karen is a project manager and designer at the Center City District where she recently
performed an on-foot survey of every street tree (over 10,000) in the Center City area
including size, canopy, species, and general health assessment. Ms. Clancy has an
undergraduate degree in ecology from Colgate University and received her Master’s Degree
in Landscape Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, where her thesis
focused on the topic of urban ecology and green infrastructure.
Brad Thornton, RLA, LEED AP
Brad has over seven years of diverse landscape architectural experience, creating innovative
solutions to complex project challenges, and overseeing their implementation in the field.
Mr. Thornton has a Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture from Temple University
and is a project manager with Lager Raabe Skafte Landscape Architects.
James Farr
Jim, owner and operator of James Farr Landscape Company, is an expert in the fields of
landscape construction, maintenance and horticulture. Mr. Farr has been working with the
Center City Tree Collection since 1996. He has extensive experience in all aspects of urban
tree removal and planting, and the associated trench and paving challenges.
Julie Snell, ASLA
Julie is a project manager with ten years experience with PHS’s Philadelphia Green program.
As part of the Public Landscapes Design and Management team, she oversees the
renovation and management of urban green spaces. Ms. Snell has a bachelor of fine arts
degree from Tyler School of Art, Temple University. She joined PHS after earning a master’s
degree in landscape architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.
Brown-Bag Lunch, Tuesday January 26, 2009, Noon - 1 pm
PHS Auditorium, 5th Floor
Bring your lunch; PHS will provide snacks and drinks.
This event is FREE but registration is requested.
Please contact Carol Dutill at 215-988-8869 or cdutill@pennhort.org.
PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future