The Arbor Day Foundation trees came in for our club and are ready to be planted. (they need to be planted in the next day or two)  The species of trees that we have to plant are:

We have two Sargent Crabapples to plant:

Grows more like a shrub than a tree, has pure white fragrant flowers.  It is more resistant to disease than other types of crabapple.  Has small, shiny, bright red fruit and is a favorite of birds.  Grows 6-10 feet high, and 6-12 feet wide.

 

 

1. Abi and Emily

2. Ruthie and Camille

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We have 4 Eastern Redbud's to plant:

Native to North America and Canada with cousins in Europe and Asia. First cultivated in 1811. The Spaniards noted Redbuds and made distinctions between the New World species and their cousins in the Mediterranean region in 1571. George Washington reported in his diary on many occasions about the beauty of the tree and spent many hours in his garden transplanting seedlings obtained from the nearby forest. (source: National Arbor Day Foundation)

Grows at a medium rate to 20'-30' tall and 30' spread.  Small rosy pink spring flowers, followed by reddish-purple leaves in summer, turn yellow in fall.  The shiny reddish brown 2-3" seed pods remain on the tree throughout winter.

 

 

1. Ruthie and Camille

2-4 Telah and Cody

 

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We have 2 washington hawthorn to plant:

Grows to be 25'-30' tall with a 25' spread.  White late spring flowers are followed by small glossy red berries that stay on tree into winter.  Leaves are reddish-purple and change to dark green in summer.  Turn orange, scarlet or purple in fall.  Has a high wildlife value.

1. Camille and Ruthie

2.

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We have two white flowering dogwood trees to plant:

Grows to 25' tall with a 25' spread.  Showy white spring flowers are followed by glossy red fruits that ripen in fall.  Summer dark green leaves turn red purple in fall.  This tree prefers some shade.

1. Emily and Abi

2. Ben

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We have 2 goldenraintrees to plant:

Grows to be 30'=40' tall with a 35' spread.  Showy panicles of yellow flowers in early summer are followed by papery hanging lantern shaped capsules through fall.  The dark green leaves turn light yellow in fall.  Very adaptable tree for many conditions.

1. Ben

2.

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It is best to plant bare-root trees immediately, in order to keep the fragile roots from drying out. If you can't plant because of weather or soil conditions, store the trees in a cool place and keep the roots moist.

Unpack tree and soak in water 3 to 6 hours. Do not plant with packing materials attached to roots, and do not allow roots to dry out.	Dig a hole, wider than seems necessary, so the roots can spread without crowding. Remove any grass within a three-foot circular area. To aid root growth, turn soil in an area up to 3 feet in diameter.
Plant the tree at the same depth it stood in the nursery, without crowding the roots. Partially fill the hole, firming the soil around the lower roots. Do not add soil amendments.	Shovel in the remaining soil. It should be firmly, but not tightly packed with your heel. Construct a water-holding basin around the tree. Give the tree plenty of water.
After the water has soaked in, place a 2-inch deep protective mulch area 3 feet in diameter around the base of the tree (but not touching the trunk).	Water the tree generously every week or 10 days during the first year.

“Each generation takes the Earth as trustees. We ought to bequeath to posterity as many forests and orchards as we have exhausted and consumed.”
—J. Sterling Morton

(from www.arborday.org)

To complete this club project:

1. choose and plant a tree (one tree per family, we only have 12 trees total, but we can order more if there is enough need) using the above guidelines.  Water and care for your tree as it grows.

2. take a picture of you (4H member(s)) with your baby tree, and give it to Camille (who is the chairperson for the project) or Ruthie (who is a committee member).

3. look up information and learn about your tree.  If you give a little summary about your tree to Camille, she will add it to the Million Trees Board.