Restore the street tree pits on Bethel AME's block of Druid Hill Avenue

Druid Hill Avenue's tree pits in front of the historic churches are compacted and bare, on a West Baltimore corridor that needs every degree of summer cooling it can grow. Restored pits on the church block anchor the congregation's stewardship where the whole neighborhood walks past it. Standard: Baltimore TreeBaltimore pit-care practice; SDG 11. Proof: Before/after photo per pit plus a count Method (Baltimore TreeBaltimore pit-care practice; SDG 11.): 1. Clear trash and weeds from each pit on the church block by hand. 2. Loosen the top few inches of compacted soil, staying clear of roots. 3. Top-dress with compost and mulch two to three inches deep, off the trunk flare. 4. Edge each pit to hold mulch and water. 5. Photograph each pit before and after with GPS and date. Done when: Before/after photo per pit plus a count

Where

Street tree pits, 1300 block Druid Hill Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217

Pay

$80 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Before/after photo per pit plus a count

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-09-01

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 45–120 minutes. Method of record: Street-tree pit restoration per ISA arboriculture BMPs + municipal urban-forestry standards (de-compact, weed, amend, mulch, water) — hand tools only, no root cutting; assess→restore→verify

Bring

• hand cultivator/garden fork + weeding tools (hand tools only)
• arborist wood-chip mulch (3-inch layer, keep off the trunk flare)
• watering container(s) / water source access
• camera + measuring tape

Steps

1. 1. ASSESS: photograph the tree pit as found; note compaction, weeds, trash, girdling material (wire, cords, mats), soil level against the trunk flare, and visible trunk damage.
2. 2. Clear trash and weeds by hand; remove any girdling material from the trunk wherever it lifts free without cutting bark.
3. 3. De-compact the top 2–3 inches of pit soil with a hand fork WITHOUT cutting roots ≥1 inch — work around them; level soil away from the trunk flare so the flare is visible.
4. 4. Apply a 3-inch arborist-chip mulch ring keeping a 3-inch gap at the trunk (no volcano mulching), and water thoroughly (15–20 gallons for a young tree).
5. 5. VERIFY: photograph the finished pit from the matching vantage (flare visible, mulch ring correct, pit weed-free) and log the watering; flag dead/hazard limbs or trunk wounds to the municipal urban-forestry line — never prune above shoulder height yourself.

If it does not match the plan

• Roots ≥1 inch in the work zone -> work around them; never cut structural roots.
• Dead/hanging limbs, major trunk wounds, or a leaning tree -> photograph and report to urban forestry; no pruning above shoulder height, no ladder work.
• Suspected utility conflict in the pit (exposed line, meter box) -> stop digging and report.

What counts as done

• Before/after photos from matching vantage; trunk flare visible, no mulch against bark
• Pit de-compacted and weed/trash-free; girdling material removed and photographed
• Watering completed and logged (volume noted)

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.