CLEARFIELD – The CRC Design Committee officially kicked off their “Adopt a Tree Box” program as they gathered to work on the two tree boxes outside of the CRC office along Market Street. Beautiful weather and a lot of helping hands made this project quick, easy and fun.
As previously stated in an article, the Design Committee met with DCNR Arborist, Timothy Frontz, for his recommendation on tending the tree boxes. The CRC followed his recommendation and started by removing the landscape fabric that was originally planted with the tree 30 years ago. Frontz stated that the fabric was cutting into some of the trees and was not effectively working as weeds are now sprouting through the fabric. The CRC removed the landscape paper and planted pachysandra, as well as red, white and blue flowers to honor our patriots, but to also symbolize our All-America City, Clearfield. Planted were white wave petunias, red impatiens and blue lobelias. To finish the box, Frontz recommended using “double-ground-brown” mulch because it is natural and aged versus dyed. The CRC used this same type of mulch, which was also used for a previous crabapple tree project along the river spearheaded by Karen Miller, who is also a member of the CRC Design Committee.
Main Street Manager, Kellie Truman states, “Ideally we would love to see everyone use a consistent mulch and differentiate with flowers, but the most important thing here is that the businesses and communities volunteers agree to adopt the boxes and give them care. Trees are essential to our downtown and to the business they are placed in front of. Trees create a peaceful, aesthetically pleasing environment and they increase our quality of life by bringing natural elements into our downtown setting. Studies have shown that customers are likely to spend up to 12% more at a business along a tree-lined street. When the tree boxes are finished, storefronts are decorated with red, white and blue, and when the park benches are added into downtown, it will create a patriotic and inviting atmosphere in downtown this summer.”
The CRC would like to thank the volunteers who made this work day possible. Design Committee Chair Katie Miknis and her children Olivia and Colin Miknis, Karen Miller, Peggy Durant, Steve Albert, Keely Casteel and CRC Intern Chris Renaud.
 There are a total of 88 tree boxes in downtown Clearfield. There are 23 on South Second Street, 33 on Market Street, 24 on Third Street, and eight on Locust Street. The CRC is still in need of helpers to adopt tree boxes especially in front of vacant spaces or parking lots. If you are interested in Adopting a Tree Box in the Main Street District, please call the CRC at 765-6000 as soon as possible. Happy Memorial Day from the Clearfield Revitalization Corporation.
