Tree Planting at Davee Gardens
Reducing stormwater flooding in a historically under-invested Southside neighborhood through tree plantings and maintenance.
Over 40 volunteers gather for a tree planting in Davee Gardens on November 12, 2022.
A group of volunteers work on shoveling dirt back into the ground after planting a young street tree.
Challenge
Davee Gardens is one of many neighborhoods in Richmond’s Southside that experiences severe flooding due to outdated stormwater systems, a lack of green spaces and wetter seasons due to climate change. In 2018, the National Climate Assessment estimates that the intensity of rain events have increased by 30%. Heavier rainfalls in a short amount of time overwhelms the system and causes flash flooding. Unfortunately, many residents are paying the price with streets that become inaccessible after heavy rainfall and yards that are waterlogged for days. Planting trees is a proven way to help reduce stormwater runoff, cool neighborhoods, and save lives.
Volunteers gather for a demonstration on how to prune a root ball before planting.
Project Timeline
The work for this project took place on November 12, 2022, with ongoing tree maintenance occurring over the following two years.
Our Partners
Arbor Day Foundation
Capital One
Groundwork RVA
Virginia Department of Forestry
Richmond Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities (PRCF)
Results
Tree planting: We planted 60 trees in the Davee Gardens neighborhood with the assistance of over 40 volunteers.
Tree maintenance: The project supported ongoing maintenance in the form of watering and structural pruning for the 60 street trees for the two years following planting. In the fall of 2023, Southside ReLeaf hosted two workdays at Davee Gardens in partnership with Richmond Tree Stewards, Groundwork RVA, Richmond PRCF, Virginia Conservation Network, and the Greening Working Group. A total of 56 volunteers supported our effort to provide maintenance and structural pruning to 37 trees.
A group of volunteers works on dumping and spreading mulch around the base of a newly-planted tree.
Volunteers gather with co-founder Sheri Shannon for a photo with the event’s official Tree Planting banner.
Impact
Thanks to funding provided by the Arbor Day Foundation and Capital One, this project helped fulfill the community’s desires and make progress toward the City of Richmond’s obligation to build a climate-resilient city that reduces the vulnerabilities of Southside residents. With a fitness park in the center of the neighborhood, the trees we planted provide additional benefits to enhance the health and wellness of the entire community.
The funding also supported watering and tree care provided by community partners over the following two years so trees had what they needed to survive and grow to maturity. As trees mature, the benefits they offer the surrounding community grows in tandem. Reducing stormwater run-off also has downstream benefits (literally!) by reducing the amount of pollution that reaches the Chesapeake Bay.
Rodney Gaines, resident of Davee Gardens, talks about the importance of planting trees in the neighborhood and the disparities he sees when visiting wealthier parts of the city.