TD Bank employees pose for photo after volunteer tree planting.

Staff from local Springfield area TD Bank operations assisted in the planting of new fruit trees Appleseed Orchard on Hancock Street on September 18th. The orchard is part of a grant award from the TD Green Streets Grant Program, in cooperation with the National Arbor Day Foundation, which supports innovative practices in community forestry. Through the program, 10 municipalities and organizations received grants in support of local forestry projects in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.

In Springfield, two orchards are being planted which will serve local neighborhoods. A second orchard, located in Indian Orchard was planted earlier this year as part of this initiative. Additionally, series of educational sessions, introducing urban greening and orchard maintenance will be offered to neighborhood residents during upcoming months, with instruction provided by researchers from the University of Massachusetts and the USDA Forest Service. The overall care and maintenance of the orchards is expected to include assistance from trained neighborhood volunteers who will attend these instructional sessions.

“TD is proud to award TD Green Streets grants to these very deserving municipalities for their urban forestry projects,” said Diana Glassman, Head of Environmental Affairs for TD Bank. “This partnership with Arbor Day Foundation is a component of our TD Forests initiative and aligns with our goal to be a strong environmental partner in our communities.” “We’re excited to join TD Bank in supporting ten communities committed to effective tree care for the benefit of all residents,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. ” TD Green Streets will help these worthy Tree City USA participants to remain on the cutting-edge of urban forestry.”