The tradition continues
The city of Post Falls has passed out free trees to residents for the past three years and intends to continue the tradition this year, according to Linden Lampman, Post Falls city forester.
April 7 is Plant-A-Tree for Free Day, and residents from Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Hayden are invited to Q’emiln Park in Post Falls to pick up to three free trees per family. Last year 2,700 trees were distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Trees range in height from six to eight feet and are typically a mix of small flowering to medium/large shade trees.
“This is a huge communitywide program that is supported by many community groups such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, Kiwanis, Lions and also by the business community,” Lampman said. Business sponsors include Re/Max and Realtor Monte Risvold, Panhandle State Bank, J-U-B Engineers Inc. and First American Title Co.
Trees are shipped “bare-root,” bedded into wet wood mulch and placed in plastic bags to keep roots moist for the trip home.
“It is essential to keep roots moist until the tree is planted,” Lampman said. “If the roots dry, the tree will die.”
Distribution begins at 10 a.m., and if there are trees remaining after 2 p.m., residents from outside of these communities can also claim a tree.
April 7 is also a celebration day as Post Falls will receive its 10th annual Tree City USA award. A brief Arbor Day and Tree City USA recognition ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m., before the tree distribution begins.
To qualify for Tree City USA, a city must meet four standards established by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, including a tree department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with a budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Plant-a-Tree for Free Day is popular and the line to receive a tree may be long, but folks can avoid long lines and preselect their trees by attending a one-hour tree planting and aftercare workshop sponsored by Community Canopy. Participants may reserve their trees and pick them up at a separate location on the day of the event.
Community Canopy is a three-city partnership promoting tree care and maintenance education with the goal of creating sustainable community forests.
Attendees will learn how to plant and care for a tree that will thrive and become an asset to their landscape. Lampman said the most important thing to do for new trees is to water them.
“A good rule of thumb for watering young trees is to use five gallons of water for each inch diameter of the tree, measured six inches above ground level on young trees,” she said.
Tree recipients are encouraged to pre-dig holes and plant their trees as soon as possible, and call (800) 428-4950 for a free utility line location check at least 72 hours before digging planting holes.
Although trees are free, donations are accepted to the Post Falls Tree Trust Fund. The money is used to plant and care for trees in Post Falls as well as furthering tree care education through Community Canopy.
“Homeowner associations and businesses may reserve trees which will be planted in common areas or within public rights of way and grassy swales,” Lampman said.
Master Gardeners and Community Canopy members will be on hand to help participants select tree species and learn how to care for them once planted.
“When you think of how many trees we have planted into our community forest with the help of this program, it is pretty invigorating,” Lampman said.
More than 50 volunteers are needed to help pass out trees, and an extra benefit is that the volunteers receive their trees ahead of time. If you would like to volunteer, contact Lampman at (208) 773-8147.