About the Swannanoa Valley Tree Alliance

Posted on by Justin McGuire

The Swannanoa Valley Tree Alliance (SVTA), founded in April 2019, is a partnership of Asheville GreenWorks, the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, the Black Mountain Parks & Greenways Foundation and other groups. Its goal is to encourage tree stewardship and bring public awareness to valuable and irreplaceable trees throughout Black Mountain and Swannanoa.

The group was formed after Black Mountain residents raised concerns that a 200-year-old white oak had been cut down for the new development Padgett Home Place on Padgettown Road.

Through its Treasured Trees of the Valley program, SVTA has recognized more than 60 trees in the valley based on size, age, beauty or historic significance. That includes trees on public and private land.

Once a tree is designated a treasured tree, volunteers place a brass plaque on it to identify its species, approximate age and who nominated it. A QR code directs people to a website that has more information about the tree.

The group also leads walking tours that highlight various treasured trees.

For more information, go to avl.mx/dwl.

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About Justin McGuire
Justin McGuire is a UNC Chapel Hill graduate with more than 30 years of experience as a writer and editor. His work has appeared in The Sporting News, the (Rock Hill, SC) Herald and various other publications. Follow me @jmcguireMLB
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