Tree Workbee Sunday

It's a low-key volunteer opportunity.

On Sunday the 17th during Ironman, volunteers will meet to plant trees.

According to Bree McGregor, who secured the grant funding from Consumers Energy Foundation for the 15 native trees, anyone interested should meet at 10 a.m. at the vacant lot at the end of Crapo Street.

Meet at the purple X to plant trees Sunday, September 17, at 10 a.m.

McGregor collaborated with Jeff Smith, president of the Frankfort Tree Board, in drafting the grant application. Smith’s group was awarded the grant as well. This is a great example of the promised cross-bay collaboration Smith said he was hoping to foster, which began with the planting of a linden in the Waterfront Park on Arbor Day this year.

Jim Grabowski of Upland Meadow was hired to locate and purchase the trees. According to McGregor, the species were all chosen from the Michigan Forestry and Park Association’s approved tree list, and the needs of each tree were considered when choosing the 15 planting sites, which are mostly around the Village’s upper east side. The trees include flowering dogwood, birch, and maple.

DPW assistant Justin Towle has been clearing each site with Miss Dig, and as of this evening he said all 15 sites are good to go. The trees have to be planted within a certain window of time to meet the terms of the grant.

Note that road closures continue because of our water project, so allow a few extra minutes if you’re driving to the meetup place.

If you have a favorite shovel and some gloves, bring them in case a surfeit of hands arrive to make the work light!