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 Spring Issue 2024 Vol. 11, No. 2
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Arbor Day at Cumberland Park
 “Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future." Sterling Morton, Founder of Arbor Day
Arbor Day is an annual global event celebrated not only in the U S but in countries around the world. Its purpose is to celebrate, appreciate, proliferate, and educate about trees! This year, West Lafayette celebrates Arbor Day on Friday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Say YES to a healthier, more beautiful West Lafayette by joining the WLTF, AmeriCorps, the City of West Lafayette, and 24 pre-K students from the Brookshire Learning Center on April 26 at 10:00 a.m. in Cumberland Park. Eight trees will be planted in the area between the sports field and just off the trail closer to the Wellness Center. The trees were donated by Bennett’s Nursery.
Join Mayor Erin Easter as she speaks to the importance of our urban forest and reads the Arbor Day proclamation. Parking is easily available adjacent to Cumberland Park.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Gardiner, Greenspace Administrator at (765) 775-5170, or jgardiner@westlafayette.in.gov.
Did you know that West Lafayette has been a Tree City USA for 32 years, awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation, based on our dedication to growing and maintaining the WL urban forest? 2024 will be our 33rd year.
We would appreciate your support in making West Lafayette a Tree City USA. To learn more about Tree Friends and their endeavors in our city, please visit their website, www.wltreefriends.org, and follow us on Facebook.
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You can add to the Urban Forest with a free street tree as well as one in your own yard.. (Street trees are planted in the City’s right-of-way between the sidewalk and the street.) Click here to find the application form. Questions can be directed to the West Lafayette Greenspace Administrator, Jennifer Gardiner at jgardiner@westlafayette.in.gov.
Deadline for spring applications is May 8, 2024.
One possibility for a street tree or for your own yard is the JAPANESE TREE LILAC. The Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata, 'Ivory Silk'), which became a cultivar in 1876, is a beautiful flowering species. It is a native of northern Japan, where it grows naturally on cliffs and in scrubby areas. The tree’s large white blossoms are attractive to insect pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
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The Japanese Tree Lilac is a species in the Oleaceae Family, a group that includes not only lilac, but also olive, forsythia, and privet. It attains a height of 20-30 feet, adapting well to full sun and urban sites.
Look for a Japanese Tree Lilac this spring on the corner of Littleton and Fowler Streets. This Tree Friends Tribute Tree was planted in 2015.
PLANT A TREE THIS ARBOR DAY!
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Earth Day Recycle Event
Saturday, April 27, 9:00 a.m. to noon
In honor of national Earth Day, three local businesses-- Reliable Insurance, The Russell Company, and Q106.7-- are sponsoring their 11th annual Recycle Event in the parking lot behind The Russell Company (2522 Covington Street, West Lafayette). It’s a very convenient drive-through arrangement. For more information, click here to see the flyer.)
The West Lafayette Tree Friends greatly appreciate the opportunity extended by the sponsors to receive donations during the event. (These donations go directly to PLANT MORE TREES.) If you cannot attend, you can make a donation by clicking the button below for all the donation options.
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Book Review: The Living Forest
Robert Llewellyn and Joan Maloof (2017)
The Living Forest, a coffee table sized book, is a combination of stunning photographs and informative text. It takes you on a visual journey deep into woods to witness the important role trees play in sustaining life on earth. The beautiful photographs by award-winning nature photographer Robert Llewellyn explore the landscape from leaf litter to treetops to the large and small creatures that inhabit the woods. Included are intimate details of developing seeds and aerial shots and close-ups of plants and animals. Scientist Joan Maloof’s lyrical essays detail the ecology behind the wonder.
At the end, Maloof concludes, “The forest is worthy of being loved, and of being mourned when it is gone. It is more than trees and timber dollars and habitat. It is a spirit filled place.” Also in the final pages, Llewellyn’s artistic photographs reflect the magic of the woods. The only thing left to do after reading this book is to go out into a forest and experience the wonder.
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West Lafayette Tree Friends 2023 Annual Report
Thank you for your support-- Donors, volunteers, City of West Lafayette-- for another amazing year for TREES!
- Added matching fund to November donor drive.
- Developed mentoring materials from documented policies.
- Gained seat on West Lafayette Parks Foundation Board.
- Shared costs for tree watering bags to improve survival rates.*
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Meet Jennie Gardiner, the new Greenspace Administrator, who has joined the West Lafayette Parks and Recreation team. Jennie is a local from Greater Lafayette with a strong background in Landscape & Horticulture Design, having earned her degree from Purdue University. She has been working for the City of West Lafayette for more than three years now and has recently transferred to the Parks and Recreation Department as one of two Greenspace Administrators.
With her expertise, Jennie will provide staff support to the West Lafayette Tree Friends. We are excited to have her on board and can't wait to see the positive impact she will have on our community.
Welcome to the team, Jennie!
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 Upcoming Events
General meetings of the West Lafayette Tree Friends
These meetings are open to everyone! We gather the second Tuesday of each month in the Bean Room at the West Lafayette City Hall. Meetings are listed on the City website and can be accessed virtually. Please join us!
Tuesday, May 14 Tuesday, June 11 Tuesday, July 9
Spring Pruning Sessions: A favorite activity of many of the Tree Friends is getting together to prune street trees. No experience is necessary as instruction and tools are provided. Pruning starts the Friday after the Arbor Day celebration – May 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 am. Check our website for locations to meet up.
Arbor Day: Cumberland Park, Friday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. (See our first article)
Mind BOGgling Event: Saturday May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event is a celebration of the great resources at the Lilly Nature Center and the Celery Bog Nature Area. There will be lots of information as well as children’s activities. Tree Friends will be there!
River Fest: July 13 -- Tapawingo Park Pedestrian Bridge & Promenade. Celebrate the Wabash River at this family-friendly event. The WL Tree Friends will have a booth. Come visit us!
WL Farmers Market – Cumberland Park Parking Lot (Salisbury Street) WL Tree Friends will have a booth on the following dates:
May 29, 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. July 10, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. September 11, 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Come visit us for activities and information about TREES!
Follow WLTF on Facebook and Instagram!
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In Closing -- Think Spring
 "What does he plant who plants a tree?
He plants cool shade and tender rain,
And seed and bud of days to be,
And years that fade and flush again;
He plants the glory of the plain;
He plants the forest's heritage;
The harvest of a coming age;
The joy that unborn eyes shall see—
These things he plants who plants a tree."
An Expert from "The Heart of the Tree" by Henry Cuyler Bunner 1855 –1896
West Lafayette Tree Friends
222 N Chauncey Ave
West Lafayette, IN 47906
website / email us
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