Township officials and environmental volunteers are asking residents to help mark America’s 250th birthday by planting trees across Ewing.
The 250 Trees for 250 campaign, launched by the Ewing Green Team and the Ewing Environmental Commission in partnership with the mayor and Township Council, aims to have at least 250 new trees planted locally ahead of the nation’s 2026 semiquincentennial.
Organizers say Ewing’s tree canopy coverage is about 27.4%, well below the statewide average of roughly 40%. Increasing canopy coverage can help reduce heat, improve air quality, manage stormwater and strengthen local ecosystems.
Residents, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate by pledging to plant at least one tree, either on private property or by donating toward tree planting in one of Ewing’s parks or public lands.
As part of the initiative, organizers are urging participants to prioritize native tree species that are well-suited to local conditions in Mercer County.
The Green Team has identified recommended species for both drier and wetter sites, with keystone species — those considered especially beneficial to wildlife and the environment — highlighted as preferred choices.
Recommended species for drier sites include white oak, chestnut oak, pignut hickory, shagbark hickory, bitternut hickory, white pine, pitch pine, American holly, black birch, sugar maple, basswood, hop hornbeam, black cherry, sassafras, downy serviceberry, common hackberry, flowering dogwood, witch hazel, pagoda dogwood and blackhaw viburnum.
For wetter sites, recommended plantings include swamp white oak, shagbark hickory, bitternut hickory, American holly, black gum, gray birch, yellow birch, red maple, American hornbeam, American elm, basswood, black cherry, tulip tree, flowering dogwood, pagoda dogwood, highbush blueberry, spicebush, sweet pepperbush, winterberry holly and blackhaw viburnum.
Participation begins by signing an online pledge form at ewinggreenteam.org/250-tree-campaign. Participants are then asked to notify organizers once their tree or trees have been planted.
The Green Team and Environmental Commission are also offering guidance on tree selection, planting techniques and long-term care. Additional information is available through Ewing Township’s “Caring for Your Trees” page at ewingnj.org/caring-for-your-trees.
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