Plant One Million reached a major milestone with the planting of the 500,000th tree! On Tuesday, September 1, PHS planted a white oak tree at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood to honor the visit of Pope Francis. Bishop Timothy Senior, Auxiliary to the Archbishop of Philadelphia, blessed the tree in a ceremony later that day. Pope Francis will be staying at the seminary during his visit in late September.

The September 1 tree planting coincided with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation established by Pope Francis to remind us of our role as custodians of creation.

View the video of the planting.

Thanks to our supporters!

Thank you to Shreiner Tree Care for their assistance in the planting this special tree.

Thanks to all our Plant One Million partners and supporters for their great efforts and accomplishments in helping reach this milestone!

• The Delaware Center for Horticulture
• New Jersey Tree Foundation
• Philadelphia Park & Recreation’s TreePhilly program
• PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources’ TreeVitalize program
• Bartlett Tree Experts
• USDA Forest Service Philadelphia Field Station