--- PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT DATE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE ---
- We will update this event date when we are told the date we are able to pick up the trees. -
Friends of the Library
Earth Day Tree Giveaway
For the fourth year in a row, the Friends of the Library has decided to sponsor a giveaway of 150 trees to help ensure a green and shady future for our city.
All day on Tuesday, April 22nd, trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we are asking that people take only 1-3 trees each to start with, so that at least 50 people are able to have some. We will let you know if there are extras to adopt.
All trees are native to North America, and were propagated by the Marquette County Conservation Department.
All trees will be bare root seedlings, and will need to be planted ASAP. Until they can be planted, they should be kept in a shady area in a bucket of water to keep their roots moist. Planting instructions will be included with every tree. After planting and mulching, water your baby tree every day throughout the summer to give it the best chance at a long life.
Available Trees (please note, this is subject to change):
Blue Spruce - these will be 12-16" tall. Prefers full sun. Once established, it can tolerate most soils. Moderate to slow growth rate, grows 50-75' tall, lives up to 600 years. Short, sharp blue-green needles with medium-sized sticky cones. Beloved by many as Christmas trees, these make great wind breaks.
High Bush Cranberry - these will be 1-2' tall. Prefers sun or semi-shade, and is successful in most soil types but does best in well-drained, moist soil that is rich and loamy. Moderate growth rate, matures at 8 to 15 feet tall by 8 to 10 feet wide with dense shrubby branches. Lives up to 30 years. Produces pretty red-purple leaves in fall, and after 4-6 years it will produce bright red "drupes" (fruit). These are not a true cranberry, but are edible for humans (though sour). Birds and other wildlife love these trees! Great for hedges.
Red Bud - these will be 1-2' tall. Prefers sun to semi-shade, successful in most soils but needs some watering in dry spells. Fast to moderate growth rate, matures at 20-30 feet tall. Often has divided, shrub-like trunk. Lives 20-30 years. Produces masses of stunning dark pink blossoms for 2-4 weeks in early spring, providing great food for pollinators. Seed pods can get messy.
Red Maple - these will be 1-2' tall. Very adaptable, this tree will grow in sun or shade, wet or dry conditions. Matures at 90-120 feet tall, lives 75-150 years. Produces scarlet red or red-orange leaves and small "helicopter" seeds in fall. Sometimes tapped for maple syrup, but not as sweet as Sugar Maples. Deer love to eat these, so cage yours if necessary.
White Birch - these will be 1-2' tall. These trees need shady, moist (but not soggy) areas, preferably near water. They like deeper, slightly acidic, well drained soils but can grow in many soil types. Because they grow an extensive near-surface root system, these trees should not be planted near sidewalks or in other places where you don't want the ground disrupted. Birch trees grow very quickly, but only live 20-50 years.