Effort to replace dead and unhealthy trees at Flight 93 memorial expected to take decades

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. — Officials say it will take decades to replace and revitalize trees at the national memorial in western Pennsylvania to the crew and passengers who died there when a hijacked airplane crashed on Sept. 11, 2001. About 700 dead or unhealthy trees were removed nearly a year ago and work has begun to add topsoil and plan for what is expected to be a lengthy effort to rehabilitate the trees in 40 memorial groves and along a central walkway. Landscape architect James Mealey said Thursday it may take 40 years before visitors see the fully mature trees, according to the Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown. “In terms of the actual, like, replanting, that would take place over the next decade, maybe even into two decades.” About 2,000 native deciduous trees of various types were planted at the memorial from 2012 to 2016, a key feature of the park’s landscape design.