ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When the weather turns warm and children take to the playground at Camelot for Children, a stand of trees provides cooling shade.
But one of those trees also has created a safety problem for Camelot, a nonprofit that provides a gathering place for children with serious, chronic or terminal illnesses and disabilities.
“One of those big, huge trees shades our playground in a way that we get moss, and that's not safe, because it's so slippery,” Camelot for Children's Executive Director Emily Werner said.
“We need shade because you can't have our kids bake all day.
But Joshua Tree Experts, a Lehigh Valley-based landscaper and tree service company, "had a plan," Werner said.
"They also identified other things that were about to be safety problems on the campus, including an ash tree that had succumbed to the emerald ash borer.”
“Our goal is to provide a three-man tree care crew for a day's worth of work to tackle any pruning and removal needs that can benefit these nonprofits that don't have the funds to take care of those things on their property.”Joshua Tree Sales and Marketing Manager Madison Malik
A three-person crew from Joshua Tree on Tuesday spent hours pruning the trees on Camelot’s campus, 2354 W. Emmaus Ave.
The work was completed free through the company’s #JTGivesBack initiative, a Valley-wide effort that sends workers to a different nonprofit each quarter.
“Our goal is to provide a three-man tree care crew for a day's worth of work to tackle any pruning and removal needs that can benefit these nonprofits that don't have the funds to take care of those things on their property,” Joshua Tree Sales and Marketing Manager Madison Malik said.
“Because tree work is very expensive, especially when it comes to staff who are licensed and insured and a certified arborist on staff that knows how to take care of things safely.”
So far, Joshua Tree has donated more than 2,300 hours and $260,000 worth of services across the Valley as part of its #JTGivesBack initiative, according to the company.
‘A better community’
Camelot for Children has been part of the Valley for more than three decades, serving kids with unique needs, like health challenges or developmental disabilities.
Over the years it has expanded from a single-family home to an 11-acre campus, including a fully accessible playground, adjustable basketball hoops, a splash pad and an indoor learning facility.
As a nonprofit, Camelot relies on volunteers, Werner said. She’s been with the organization for six years.
“Corporate organizations come and help us clear away leaves and trim things back — just because it would be cost prohibitive for us to maintain it on our own,” she said.
“We've been very fortunate with the support of the greater Lehigh Valley community.
“Things that do get left undone are things that require a certain skill set. For example, the trees have not been looked at in my entire tenure.”
Werner said she found out about the #JTGivesBack initiative through a member of Camelot’s board and applied that same day.
After Camelot was chosen, Steve Paepke, a certified arborist with Joshua Tree, visited the campus to see what work was needed.
“You could tell that in the visit when he was with us, the Joshua Tree team really genuinely enjoys using their expertise to make this a better community.”Emily Werner, executive director of Camelot for Children
“It is a very, very cool offer to the community,” Werner said. “But the other thing was really great to talk to Steve, because he really understands.
"He was excited to learn about our community and our culture, and he was excited for his skill set and his team to be able to serve our community.
“You could tell that in the visit when he was with us, the Joshua Tree team really genuinely enjoys using their expertise to make this a better community.”
Saving headaches, money
On Tuesday, almost half of Camelot’s parking lot was blocked off with Joshua Tree trucks and equipment. A spider lift held one worker as he trimmed branches high up in a maple tree while another carried off branches to a chipper.
Unlike a bucket truck, the bright red spider lift could easily navigate the playground’s tight spaces, leaving less damage behind.
Paepke’s evaluation found a handful of maple trees in need of pruning, as well as an ash tree that had sustained damage from emerald ash borers, an invasive insect that has plagued the region for decades.
“He was able to identify the potential hazards and not many people in the community know of those things when it comes to tree care,” Malik said.
"I feel like the arbor culture knowledge just isn't there in today's type of world.
“I’m truly grateful. It is really valuable to us as a nonprofit, because the Lehigh Valley is saturated with great causes.Camelot for Childrens Executive Director Emily Werner
“Steve did make the plan, you know, make selective pruning cuts in the trees to bring in that additional light to help reduce the moss so it's safer for the children, but then also identifying this ash tree. We could have potential problems in the future and taking care of that now just saves headaches in the long run.
“And saves us money in the long run.”
The total cost of the work was $3,600, Malik said. But Camelot won’t have to pay a cent.
“I’m truly grateful,” Werner said. “It is really valuable to us as a nonprofit, because the Lehigh Valley is saturated with great causes.
“Getting the first audience with the corporate entity, with the person with the skill set, can be so challenging. This process was so easy and went so well. I'm so appreciative of that.”
More information about Joshua Tree Expert’s donation program and applications for service can be found on its website.
