“I joined the Planting Day for the first time in November 2012, looking forward to introducing more cherry blossoms and other flowering trees to Pittsburgh. There was an introduction to planting at 10 a.m., and the large group of volunteers separated into several groups around the Boat House and the tennis courts. The holes were already dug and the trees set, and our three-person group added the dirt, water, and mulch around “our” magnolia. We’re pretty confident it’ll survive, and we look forward to visiting in the spring to make sure, and to enjoy the color added to North Park by all of these young trees.”

-Brian Deutsch

As you see in the photo gallery, bucket watering really helped the volunteers muscle training because we had only one source of water outlet. However it is not the case in summer when we have to water heavily. Watering season will be in June and July. Please let me know if you think you can. I will add you in the watering crew list.

Yoko Motoyama

We express our gratitude and appreciation to all the volunteers for spending a good part of Saturday to participate in our Fall Planting Day on November 10, 2012. Your love of trees and your support of the Pittsburgh Sakura Project are greatly appreciated.

We are extremely grateful for the extra work that Kary Arimoto-Mercer, Rick Mercer and Alexandra Sabine put in November 10 and 11 to replant a number of trees. This indicates the need to consistently train all volunteers. We will work hard to carry this out. We hope all the volunteers will come again next spring and fall to help plant and care for the trees.

We will work hard to better organize the event in the future and your input, suggestions and comments are very much appreciated.

Pittsburgh Sakura Project Board Members

It was a perfect sunny day to spend outdoors, especially to plant trees, on November 10.  We planted 20 native trees from Tree Vitalize and 7 sakura trees, thanks to Arimoto+Mercer LLC architect/designer and their friends who worked very hard for weeks and months to get ready for this day.  We, the volunteers, shoveled, mulched, watered and staked.  After hard work, we all enjoyed warm cup noodles served on the second floor of the boathouse.

We estimate more than 130 people showed up.  Our special thanks goes to Mitsubishi Electric Power volunteers, Shaler High School students lead by Mr. Balsomico, Obama International Academy students lead by Ms. Rushlander and CMU’s Japanese Student Association.  We are so happy to have a ‘new generation’ of volunteers who will someday be able to tell their children and peers, “I planted these trees!”

How many of you greeted the director of the Allegheny Park Department, Mr. Andy Beachle (pronounced BackLee)?  Yes, he was there to work with the park personnel who allowed us to use their wheelbarrows and shovels and provided the cart.  We cannot thank Mr. Beachle and his crew enough for their generosity and hard work,  helping us through their Veterans’ day holiday.

See photos in photo gallery.

Yoko Motoyama