This spring, Bucks County residents will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and help restore the region’s tree canopy during Bucks Beautiful’s upcoming Arbor Day Replanting at Peace Valley Park. Scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 10 am to 1 pm, the volunteer-driven event is part of the nonprofit organization’s ongoing RePlant Bucks initiative, which aims to plant 10,000 native trees across the county. Peace Valley Park, located just two to three miles west of downtown Doylestown in New Britain Township, will serve as the latest site in a long-running effort to revitalize local forests and green spaces.
“Our Arbor Day planting at Peace Valley is a chance for community members of all ages to directly contribute to improving our environment,” said Denise Sezack, Executive Director of Bucks Beautiful. “We welcome volunteers whether they have experience planting trees or are just looking to get involved in a meaningful, hands-on way.”
The 2026 Arbor Day event continues a growing tradition for Bucks Beautiful, which has been hosting tree plantings across the county since the launch of RePlant Bucks in 2018. “This is actually our third Arbor Day replanting,” Sezack explained. “Two years ago, we held plantings in Central Park, right here in Doylestown. Last year, our volunteers helped plant native trees in Tinicum Park.
Bucks Beautiful’s RePlant Bucks initiative was born out of the need to address the long-term effects of storms, disease, and invasive insects on the county’s aging tree canopy. According to Sezack, “We saw areas devastated by the emerald ash tree borer and storm damage, and we realized something had to be done. Since 2018, we have planted more than 2,500 trees in 47 different locations throughout Bucks County, and we hope to surpass 3,000 trees by the end of this year.”
The initiative is not just about planting trees; it’s about ensuring they thrive. “We strive to work with other organizations, townships, and municipalities because ownership of the trees is key,” Sezack said. “Planting is one thing, but making sure trees are maintained is another. That’s why we partner with the county, local foresters, and expert volunteers, so the trees we plant survive and grow.”
Peace Valley Park is managed by Bucks County Parks and Recreation, which has hired a forester to oversee the plantings. Bartlett Tree Experts of Dublin is the main sponsor for the event, donating a majority of the 205 trees planned for the day and helping facilitate the planting. Volunteers, including many experienced watershed stewards and master gardeners, will help plant, stake, and protect the young trees using methods such as deer wraps and grow tubes, ensuring the saplings’ survival through their crucial first year.
“There are tasks for all levels of volunteers, from planting and staking to installing protective tubes around smaller saplings,” Sezack said. “People leave these events knowing they’ve made a real difference.”
Past plantings have included students from Central Bucks High School East, Boy Scout troops from Doylestown, and volunteers of all ages. “People who come out are often those who share our vision of improving the spaces we live in, not just for ourselves, but for future generations,” Sezack noted. “It’s our hope that these tree replantings become generational.”
The benefits of tree planting extend far beyond aesthetics. Native trees provide habitat for local insects and birds, improve air quality, reduce stress for nearby residents, and even help manage flooding by absorbing groundwater. “Tree roots do so much for the environment,” Sezack explained. “When we plant in areas prone to flooding, we help stabilize the land. And shaded, green areas improve quality of life for people in the community. Trees really are essential, for the environment and for the people who live among them.”
Bucks Beautiful’s Arbor Day events also highlight the importance of sustainable planning. Unlike large-scale plantings that focus solely on numbers, RePlant Bucks emphasizes quality over quantity, selecting planting sites where trees are more likely to survive. Partnerships with local municipalities,community organizations, and volunteers ensure ongoing maintenance and long-term success. “We don’t just plant 1,000 trees and walk away,” Sezack said. “We choose sites carefully, establish partnerships, and follow up to make sure the trees thrive.”
Funding for the RePlant Bucks initiative comes from a combination of private donations, Bucks Beautiful’s annual fundraising events like the Spring Fling and Kitchen & Garden Tour, and local business sponsorships. Bartlett Tree Experts and Feeney’s Wholesale Nursery are among the key contributors, providing both resources and expertise to support tree health and longevity. Community members can also support the mission by joining Bucks Beautiful as members, contributing to the sustainability of projects like the Arbor Day plantings.
The impact of past plantings is already visible throughout the county. In Warrington Township, newly planted trees are thriving around high-density housing areas and walking paths, providing shade and green space for residents. Doylestown’s Central Park has benefited from several plantings including an Arbor Day planting on the disc golf course, supported by Chris Mason, the township’s Parks Superintendent and his crew, who water and maintain the trees as part of the community’s long-term stewardship. Even student-led initiatives, such as a project by Tyler Simpson from Solebury School, have contributed to sustainable replanting while teaching young volunteers the value of environmental responsibility.
“The community’s response has been wonderful,” Sezack said. “Volunteers return to see the growth of the trees they planted. It’s rewarding to witness the transformation from bare areas into thriving green spaces. The difference one tree, or 205 trees, can make is remarkable.”
Bucks Beautiful’s mission, originally inspired by European public gardens, has evolved since its founding in 1991 to focus not just on beautification, but also on sustainable environmental stewardship. The organization works with grassroots nonprofits, townships, and volunteer groups to develop attractive and ecologically sound landscapes throughout Bucks County. “We’re focused on native plantings and long-term sustainability,” Sezack said. “The RePlant Bucks initiative is part of our commitment to the future of our community, ensuring that green spaces continue to flourish for generations to come.”
Residents interested in volunteering for the Arbor Day Replanting at Peace Valley Park can sign up through Bucks Beautiful’s website at www.bucksbeautiful.org/. All volunteers are welcome, from experienced gardeners to those planting for the first time. Anyone coming out to help will not only have the satisfaction of helping the environment, but also the experience of participating in a community effort that will leave a lasting legacy in Bucks County.
