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URBAN LEAVES
Tree News You Can Use
Spring Issue 2022
Vol. 9 No. 2
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Together we are making West Lafayette Greener! |
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ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
Arbor Day, a tradition started by the Arbor Day Foundation in 1872, is intended to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Please join the West Lafayette Tree Friends on Friday, April 29, from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm as we highlight our hard-working trees! This year, we will focus on the importance and benefits of trees as vital green infrastructure. Just as communities build “gray” infrastructure, such as roads, sewers, and utilities, we also have “green” infrastructure, such as trees, parks, waterways, and other open spaces. Green infrastructure gives us tools for ecological preservation, stormwater management, carbon sequestration, combating changing climate – and beautifying our community.
This year, we are excited to be joined by West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School to place environmental benefit tree tags on the school’s campus, highlighting the importance of growing and preserving our urban forest. For more information, please contact Bryce Patz, Community Forestry and Greenspace Manager at bpatz@westlafayette.in.gov.
Congratulations to West Lafayette for recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for the 31st year!
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MUNICIPAL TREE NURSERY
IT'S COMING TO LIFE!
When WL Tree Friends partnered with the City to begin efforts for a municipal tree nursery, we knew developing the project would take time, planning, and resources. The WL Tree Friends committed to donate $50,000 towards developing the Municipal Tree Nursery. We have been blown away by your support of the 30-40-50 donation campaign and the generosity of this community. Thank you!
In January 2022, 14.7 acres of land were donated to the WL Parks and Recreation Foundation to support the efforts for the municipal tree nursery. The property is off Route 26, just west of the Purdue campus. The City has been developing a master plan for the site, which will include:
- tree nursery fields, with the capacity to grow 800 trees
- a greenhouse to support growing tree saplings, perennials, and native plants
- a small maintenance barn
- conversion of 10 acres into native mesic prairie to support wildlife.
Construction of the greenhouse will begin in late summer of 2022. In the fall, we will begin planting the tree nursery and will continue to keep you updated on the progress. For more information and how to get involved, email Bryce Patz, Community Forestry and Greenspace Manager at bpatz@westlafayette.in.gov or call 765-775-5170.
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Protecting established trees during construction saves trees and property values as well. Should a city have a Tree Protection Plan? West Lafayette says “YES.” The City is in the process of adopting such a plan that will require new construction to maintain the safety and health of established trees on the construction site. The Plan will provide guidelines for construction of trails, roadways, sidewalks, and buildings, and will help to protect our existing urban forest.
The goal of a Tree Protection Plan is to inform contractors how their job site organization can be designed to protect existing trees to prevent unnecessary tree damage without impeding their work.
If you anticipate construction on your private property and have any established trees, you may want to consult a certified arborist to assist in creating a tree protection plan.
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FEATURED TREE - AMERICAN YELLOWWOOD
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HERE'S WHAT'S NEW WITH OPERATION RELEAF!
Every year WL Tree Friends partners with the City to plant street trees in the public right-of-way, through a program called Operation Re-leaf. Your donations to WL Tree Friends match the City dollar-to-dollar, providing free street trees for residents in West Lafayette. This planting program aims to replace trees that have been removed – such as ash trees from Emerald ash borer – and add trees where there is not an existing tree canopy. Thank you for your continued support.
We have been excited to see so many requests for new trees in West Lafayette. To better meet this demand, we have created the Operation Re-leaf Tree Application, in order to better process requests and to plant more trees. The application is free, allows the applicant to pick their top two choices of tree species, as well as offers training on how to properly water your newly planted, free street tree. How great is that! Once trees are planted, we inventory street trees in the City’s online inventory program, TreePlotter PARKS. For questions on the new application or our planting program, visit the City’s Community Forestry and Greenspace page here. Thanks for keeping West Lafayette green!
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DONATE TO HELP GROW OUR URBAN FOREST
What good things will happen because of your donation to West Lafayette Tree Friends?
Why plant more trees in West Lafayette? Here are some reasons:
- Beautification – Tree-lined streets increase the attractiveness of a community.
- Shade – The cooling effect in summer helps reduce temperatures and energy use.
- Carbon and water retention – The leaves, limbs, and roots of trees capture carbon and absorb rainwater that otherwise goes into storm drains.
- Homes – Animals, birds, and insects have a place to live as their habitat is continually reduced.
The City’s plan is to plant a greater diversity of native and climate-adaptive trees. However, this is costly, and the price of buying, planting, and maintaining City street trees is rapidly rising. Our taxes provide some of those funds, and state and federal grants, sought by a great city staff, also help. WL Tree Friends, a volunteer group, is dedicated to providing as much as 50% of the cost of buying and planting street trees, an effort that can double the number of trees planted each year.
We need your help to grow our urban forest. Donate online at https://wltreefriends.org/donate or by mail to:
WL Tree Friends
222 N. Chauncey Ave.
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Together, we are making West Lafayette Greener!
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Angus Hyland and Kenda Wilson (2021)
Throughout history trees have inspired artists. The Book of the Tree – Trees in Art is an enchanting collection of arboreal art that celebrates the enduring beauty and wonder of trees. It is a delightful collection of the many ways artists have depicted trees in sketches, paintings, and prints. Interspersed throughout the illustrations are short informative texts about featured artists and their interest in trees. The book includes works by some of the world’s leading artists such as Gustav Klimt, Vincent van Gogh, Georgia O’Keefe, and David Hockney.
The Book of the Tree showcases the beauty of the colors, patterns, and textures seen in trees and will captivate anyone who loves art and nature.
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West Lafayette Tree Friends Meetings
Everyone is welcome! Second Tuesday of every month. Currently, meetings are being held in-person at Margerum City Hall, in the Bean Room. Check out the City's public meeting calendar or Contact Bryce Patz, Community Forestry and Greenspace Manager for a virtual option.
- Tuesday, May 10, 2022
- Tuesday, June 14, 2022
- Tuesday, July 12, 2022
West Lafayette Tree Friends Pruning Session
Friday, April 29: WL Arbor Day Celebration - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - WL Jr/Sr High School campus
Community Events
Saturday, April 23: The Recycle Event at Russell Company - 9 am - 12 pm
Wednesday, May 4: WL Farmers Market Season Begins! Market runs through October.
Saturday, May 14: Native Plant Fest - 9 am - 3 pm - Ross Camp
Saturday, May 21: The MindBOGling Event - 10 am - 2pm - Celery Bog Nature Area
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IN CLOSING...
"Blossom by blossom the spring begins."
Alegernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909)
From Atalana in Calydon (1865)
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Finally, a favor to ask. If you like this newsletter we send you, would you forward it to a few friends who perhaps don’t know about it? They can sign up to receive it themselves
right here. Thanks.
Find previous issues of Urban Leaves here.
Show your appreciation for someone with a Tribute Tree, and make a contribution to the health and beauty of West Lafayette. For more information
West Lafayette Tree Friends
222 N Chauncey Ave
West Lafayette, IN 47906
website / email us
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