Friends of the Library Tree Giveaway
For the fifth 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.
From 11am to 1pm on Saturday April 25th, 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):
Hybrid Willow - exceptionally fast-growing (6-10 ft/year) deciduous trees used for rapid privacy screens, windbreaks, and erosion control. They reach mature heights of 50-70 ft, are highly adaptable to various soil types, and thrive in USDA zones 3-10.
Nine Bark- A 3-10 ft., tough, native shrub. The ninebark offers spiraea-like flowers, attractive and persistent fruit pods, arching branches, yellow fall color, and exfoliating bark. Atlantic Ninebark is fast-growing, insect and disease resistant, and drought-tolerant.
Common Lilac- a large deciduous shrub or multi-stemmed small tree, growing to 6–7 metres (20–23 ft) high. Purple flowers bloom in spring.
Hybrid Poplar- Grows at a rapid rate, as much as 5–8' per year, is a cotton-less hybrid, can be grown for a number of uses including firewood, chemical runoff filtration, windbreak protection (while slower-growing species mature), paper, and fuel. Has a relatively short lifespan. Is prone to limb breakage and is therefore not recommended for planting next to play areas, patios, sidewalks or anywhere else damage may be caused.
Red Oak - these will be 1-2' tall. Prefers full to partial sun, acidic, well-drained soil. Fast to moderate growth rate, matures at 60-75 feet, lives 200-500 years. After 25 years, trees will produce small acorns every 2-5 years. Has red-brown leaves in fall.
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.