Pennsbury Manor's Trees Are Thriving. Find Out Why

MORRISVILLE, PA — It's the home of the state's founder. It's the location where William Penn set up shop along the Delaware River. And it's the place where decades-old trees continue to stay alive and thrive.

With Earth Day on Tuesday and spring having arrived, dozens of certified arborists from local tree companies recently volunteered to maintain and prune these old trees at William Penn's 43-acre estate known as Pennsbury Manor.

They were there at William Penn’s reconstructed estate at 400 Pennsbury Memorial Road on the Delaware River to expertly prune and assess the trees.

This annual International Society of Arboriculture PennDel Chapter “Arbor Day of Service” event takes place at a different non-profit site each year. It precedes the chapter's annual Tree Climbing Competition, held this year on May 17-18 at Pennsbury Manor.

“When Pennsbury was restored in 1940, the site had 1,000 trees and 5,000 shrubs planted —these geriatric trees require care for the health of the trees and safety of the public,” Doug Miller, Pennsbury Manor’s director, said. “We only contract with licensed arborists and typically spend $10,000-$20,000 a year on tree care. To have professional arborists donate their time, equipment, and expertise to Pennsbury is an incredible, and much-needed, gift. We’re also excited to host the Tree Climbing Competition in May!”

“Any property, small or large, needs tree work, and Pennsbury Manor has an enormous amount of large shade trees,” said Alex Roberts of Mountain Arborist and organizer of this event. “On Wednesday, eight top-quality tree crews will address Pennsbury’s tree safety and beauty all in one day. As busy tree professionals, this is always one of our most rewarding and fun days.”

Morrisville Mayor Gary Wallace discussed the importance of Earth Day on Tuesday.

"Today, we celebrate the beautiful planet we call home — and recommit ourselves to protecting it for generations to come. Morrisville is a community that cares deeply about sustainability, clean air and water, and the green spaces that make our town special," Wallace said. "Whether you're planting a tree, cleaning up a local park, biking instead of driving, or simply enjoying the outdoors — every small action adds up."

(Pennsbury Manor)