Getting to the Roots of New Trees
Above: Numbered tree tags noting species, dedications, sponsors and community partners. Newly planted and staked tree by U of MN students. Below: The robust root systems of trees grown in gravel beds this summer and harvested in October as part of the CEZ's 100 Trees Initiative.
We did it! Together, with our team of expert partners, property owners, volunteers and shared community, we grew and planted new trees in the CEZ through our first-ever 100 Trees Initiative in 2021. How cool is that?!?!
A huge, deep-rooted thanks to Ben Shardlow (and family) for his time, leadership and dedication to trees, making the CEZ a greener place to work, live and play.
(Left) CEZ Board Vice Chair & Public Space Committee leader Ben Shardlow. (Right) The backside of the dedicated tags adorning newly planted and staked trees in the CEZ.
We are grateful to everyone who shared in this hard and important work. Here are just a few of the well-earned shout-outs:
Davey Tree crew - Your team was absolutely essential, cheerful, knowledgeable, and more. We couldn't have done it without you!
Naomi Schroeder, our 100 Trees intern, who helped with utility locates, property owners, and volunteer communications and so much more.
Grace Chryssomallis who designed the beautiful tree tags.
Pat Thompson and Julie Ann James, CEZ board members, who provided essential web and graphic design and much more.
Bob Butterbrodt, CEZ Public Space Committee member, who helped us get the gravel beds made.
Satoko Muratake of TEN x TEN Landscape Architecture & U of MN Instructor, who developed the planting plan and led her excellent tree staking project with her University of Minnesota students. See the cumulative visual effect in the neighborhood (pictured above) - so cool!
Saint Anthony Park Community Council (SAPCC), especially the Environment Committee, for their partnership throughout this season, with special individual shout outs to Michael Russelle for spearheading getting trees to the Kasota Ponds, Stephen Mastey for critical technical assistance early on, and Rennie Gaither for his key insights in managing gravel beds.
Transition Town ASAP for helping us get our intern, recruiting volunteers, and promoting community engagement.
Landbridge Ecological, Tory and crew, for hosting a gravel tree bed, providing much needed advice and counsel (and tools) along the way.
Bailey Nurseries: for donating this year's 100 trees.
The U of MN Good Neighbor Fund for their generous project support.
Angela Casselton, CEZ Director, for her work recruiting gravel bed hosts, promotion at the Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival, and general support.
Bang Brewing, Deneen Pottery, Spot Weld and Exeter, our gravel tree bed hosts.
All the volunteers that gave time and people-power to make this project happen.
2021 dedicated tree sponsors who contributed $50 or more in support of the trees.
Many thanks to the over 60 volunteers, who started their morning at Landbridge Ecological and ended it at new trees sites throughout the Creative Enterprise Zone, making our first-ever Community Tree Planting Day on Saturday, October 9th, a huge success!
Attn: Tree donors - looking for the location for your dedicated tree(s)? Watch for an email in the coming weeks letting you know specifically where your tree was planted, along with a letter acknowledging your tax exempt gift. Many thanks for your patience and support!
Wondering about the trees long-term care? For now, the trees are being watered through a contracted service until they go dormant for winter. After that, we will look to our property owners and residents to help care for the new trees (and hopefully more gravel beds) in the spring. If you are interested in helping to water trees next year, drop us a line at info@creativeenterprisezone.org or watch this e-newsletter for future volunteer opportunities.
Community Tree Planting Day photos by Ben Shardlow, Angela Casselton and Mindy Keskinen of Transition Town- ASAP.