Federal Street in Harrison gets new trees thanks to partnership with ATI, Western PA Conservancy

Jim Mazur grew up in the 1950s along Center Street in Natrona, just a block away from the former Penn Salt Manufacturing Co. and an accompanying row of Federal Street homes where his grandfather, the local justice of the peace, lived.

The houses, about 20 of them, are long gone, replaced by a vacant lot used as a staging area for trucks from Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI).

“I remember when they were tearing those houses down,” Mazur said. “We called the houses ‘Lightning.’ The houses on the other side of the street looked exactly the same and they were called ‘Thunder.’ ”

On Wednesday, Mazur joined a dozen volunteers from Harrison and ATI for a tree-planting event to spruce up the otherwise barren space.

The partnership between the township, ATI and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy saw 15 trees put in the ground, lining the stretch to provide a barrier from dust and pollution generated by the industrial site.

By spring, sprouting there will be green vase Zelkova, Princeton sentry ginkgo, white shield Osage orange and honey locust.

“I just want to try to help with this effort because it makes trees more accessible for everyone,” ATI employee Brent Furl said.

Project cost was about $6,000.

Spearheaded by Harrison Commissioner Chuck Dizard, the project was partially funded by the Allegheny County Clean Air Fund.

“That’s special for us because the trees will provide a pollution barrier from the slag,” he said.

Marshall Stresky, senior manager on ATI’s digital technology team, said the initiative is a great chance to beautify the space and lessen the industrial view that has become a part of the neighborhood.

“A contribution of a little bit by a lot of folks can make a big difference,” he said.

Alicia Wehrle, conservancy community forestry project coordinator, said tree varieties were chosen to be urban-tolerant and mindful of the heavy truck congestion along the street.

“I think this will be really impactful for this low-canopy area,” Wehrle said.

“There are homes here but no tree cover. The trees will make it beautiful and provide the benefits of absorbing water runoff and creating a natural buffer.”

Over the last several years, Dizard has led several tree plantings throughout the township.

A total of about 200 trees have been provided through the conservancy, he said. Next up, he’s eyeing a strip of land along Federal Street near the township water authority plant.

“It’s great for the community,” he said.