Green Skies Over Homewood returns

The Homewood Environmental Commission will once again carry out the “Green Skies Over Homewood” initiative this fall. The purpose of this initiative is to continue to restore the city’s tree canopy.

The HEC’s seedling program began as an expansion of the 2009 Birmingham Botanical Gardens campaign started by Henry Hughes to replenish trees in Birmingham’s parks. Volunteers collect seeds from certain tree species, and then they are germinated at BBG greenhouses until it is time to plant them. 

HEC member Liz Ellaby said Hughes is a former Homewood resident and when he saw the need for the same program in Homewood, it sparked this initiative. This is the third season of collecting and planting in Homewood.  

The collecting and planting process goes on all fall as long as the weather allows it. In the past, the HEC has planted at the Board of Education property, the Senior Center and at various private residences and locations in Homewood. 

This year, the HEC continued the progression of this planting. A special planting led by Samford University was held Nov. 5 along the Greenway trail using Homewood-grown seedlings.

“A little over 100 seedlings are growing well over by the senior living center at the Samford end of the trail,” Ellaby said. “This year there will be 200-plus seedlings planted, some to replace seedlings that didn’t survive, and others to replace where ones were mowed. An area of replanting will be by the trailhead by the soccer fields parking lot.”

Ellaby said she has seen this campaign bring residents together over the past two years to help support and restore the Homewood tree canopy. The Environmental Commission is also discussing changes to city ordinances concerning tree planting.

“I hope the amended ordinance is passed, and the city will keep records that will give us a handle on how many trees are removed and replanted,” Ellaby said. “I think the plantings help raise awareness, or more likely give people who are already aware an outlet to make a contribution.”

Ellaby said Homewood residents need to be aware of how important it is to replenish a natural environment that has evolved interdependently with native trees that are part of its natural web of life. In order to keep a healthy natural environment of native species, she knows involvement is required.

“Community engagement is important because the problem and solution are too widespread and complex for any one group to accomplish alone,” Ellaby said. “The more people in the community work together, the faster we’ll see results.” 

The HEC will be calling on people soon to help collect seeds for future plantings. Seedlings will be sold for $5 a piece for personal use. Residents are encouraged to put a “Green Skies” yard sign up to help raise awareness. 

Go to the HEC Facebook page to learn more about the program. Volunteers can sign up for the planting and get tree identification and harvest instructions by contacting Ellaby at lizellaby@gmail.com.