Thousands of trees are being planted across the Delaware Valley, including in Upper Darby this weekend thanks to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, PGW and the Phillies, writes Beccah Hendrickson for 6abc.

About 2,000 trees are being planted.

“So we can reduce the temperatures in the summertime, to reduce the effects of the heat island that’s happening right there in Upper Darby Township,” said Michelle Schofield, a tree tender from Upper Darby.

Tree plantings are also scheduled for New Britain and Hatboro.

“Sometimes people think of trees as just nice things to have around them, but we know thanks to a lot of scientific research that they’re essential infrastructure for healthy neighborhoods,” said Tim Ifill, director of trees for PHS.

A few hundred of the trees will also pay tribute to the Phillies.

The team donated a tree for each home run hit during the season and postseason.

“This year we have 229 home runs, our most ever, that’s including 24 in the postseason. We really have Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper, so many people to thank for these trees going out in the Delaware Valley,” said Mary Ann Moyer, the director of community initiatives for the Phillies

Read more about this tree planting project at 6abc.