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 Summer Issue 2025 Vol. 12, No. 3
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 WLTF volunteers have been busy this spring. They have been involved in a variety of activities from maintaining street trees to raising funds and community support for West Lafayette’s urban canopy. Here are a few highlights of their busy schedule:
- WLTF Pruners: This dynamic, hard-working group attracted nine new pruners this spring.
- 12th Annual Recycling Event sponsored by Reliable Insurance, The Russell Group and Q106.7: WLTF energetic volunteers collected over $1,800 thanks to generous donors.
- PURA (Purdue University Retirement Association): WLTF volunteers sponsored a table and shared information about volunteer opportunities with Tree Friends.
- West Lafayette Arbor Day Celebration: The Tree Friends invited 100 Pre-K students from the Brookshire Learning Center to help mulch newly planted trees at Cumberland Park. Thanks to State Senator Spencer Deery and the IDNR State Nursery, WLTF gave away 100 bare root trees.
- Greenfest: WLTF volunteers at this event shared information about the role of Tree Friends in the community and on the care of trees.
If you are interested in learning more about our important community group, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, go to the website https://www.wltreefriends.org.
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Donations Make a Difference
Donors play a vital role in WLTF mission to grow and protect our urban forest. Your donations do more than pay for new trees, because of your generosity we were able to purchase a new trailer and a watering tank to improve tree survival by providing water and mulch to recently planted trees. Thank you, donors!
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Trees Get Thirsty Too!
Regular Summer Watering Keeps Trees Healthy
When?
- Immediately whether or not rain is in the forecast.
- For the first year, water weekly. Year two, water twice a month. Third year, once a month.
How?
- Water slowly around the base of a tree to saturate the soil and root zone.
- Lawn sprinklers, tree watering bags, or even a 5-gallon bucket with drilled holes at the base are useful to slowly saturate the soil.
- Provide five gallons of water for each inch of tree caliper (trunk diameter 6 inches above the soil line).
- Adding mulch around the base of the tree helps retain soil moisture. Make sure mulch does not touch the trunk! Think donuts not volcanoes.
See the West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Watering Video for tips on how to water and mulch a tree.
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Upcoming Events
General meetings of the West Lafayette, Tree Friends. These meetings are open to everyone. We gather on the second Tuesday of each month in the Bean room at West Lafayette, City Hall. Meetings are listed on the and can be accessed virtually. Please join us.
Tuesday, August 12, Tuesday September 10, and Tuesday, October 8.
Pruning and Watering Volunteers Needed: WLTF will resume pruning activities in September on Fridays from 9 AM to 11 AM. No experience is necessary as instruction and tools are provided. Watering activities will be scheduled as needed. Contact the greenspace coordinator greenspace@westlafayette.in.gov or call for details 765-775-5110
WL Farmers Market: July 16, 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Cumberland Park Parking Lot (Salisbury Street). Come visit us for activities and information about TREES.
Lillich Lecture on Invasive Species, November 6 9:30-12:00. John R. Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Rd. Speakers will focus on how invasives have become a problem and practical approaches to their management.
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In Closing
Thank you, Pruners! This spring we pruned over 550 trees!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”- Margaret Mead
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