Rooted in Laramie looks to grow Laramie’s community forest during annual planting on June 8
Spring weather is finally here and that brings about the annual ritual of yard and gardening questions as we gaze upon our greening landscapes. What trees to plant? And where? And how?
Rooted in Laramie has the answers. And the local nonprofit is offering the chance for people to gain free hands-on tree-planting experience by volunteering during their 6th annual tree planting day on Saturday, June 8.
“Our tree planting day is always a blast and it’s great to see how it’s grown in the last few years,” says Dakota Berg, Rooted in Laramie board chair. “All community members are invited to this event and encouraged to come help us plant trees.”
No prior experience in tree planting is necessary as each crew will be led by someone with plenty of planting knowledge. They will show volunteers how wide and deep to dig holes, how to deal with issues like root-binding, how to properly stake and mulch the tree and proper year-round tree care.
Rooted in Laramie held their annual planting day on June 3, 2023. Photos by Kyle Spradley Photography
“We have crew leads that are educated on tree planting and love to teach and show anyone tree planting techniques,” adds Berg. “Many show up having never planted a tree before but leave with so much knowledge. It’s great to see! This is a great opportunity to learn about tree care and to have fun while doing it. And it only lasts a couple hours in the morning with a light workload for volunteers.”
Rooted in Laramie sold 65 trees earlier this year during their highly anticipated annual online sale. This year’s sale was an increase from previous years due to high demand and featured 11 different varieties that should suit most home landscapes.The largest shade tree choice offered was the Triumph Elm. Other shade tree options that are more on the medium side are the Skyline Honeylocust, Hot Wings Tatarian Maple and Swedish Aspen. If looking for spring flowers, the Spring Snow and Thunderchild crabapples were available, as well as the Toba Hawthorn. For a tree ornamental in show, the Sucker Punch Chokecherry and ‘Autumn Brillance’ Serviceberry were good options. If looking to grow some fruit for you or for wildlife, the Mount Royal Plum or Haralred Apple was offered.
This year’s Shawver Tree, sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Laramie, is the Skyline Honeylocust.
“The decision to increase the number of trees in the sale is gratifying, knowing that the cumulative number of trees planted in Laramie over the last five years continues to grow,” adds Berg. “This expansion signifies a positive impact on our community’s green landscape.”
Each year, Rooted in Laramie sells trees for $50 a piece, which is a deeply discounted rate. The volunteer-based organization is supported by both private donations and grants from local and statewide organizations, including the Laramie Rivers Conservation District, City of Laramie, Rotary Clubs of Laramie’s Shawver Tree Fund and Wyoming State Forestry Division.
During the spring, Rooted in Laramie matches applicants with the right trees for their planting sites and all the trees are planted on a single day by volunteers. In-kind and volunteer support is provided by the Laramie Woman’s Club, Tough Guys Landscaping & Lighting, King’s Snow & Landscape, Wyoming Trees and Kyle Spradley Photography. Last year more than 50 volunteers from throughout the community pitched in to help the get the trees in the ground.
The volunteer-based organization was founded in 2019, and this year will reach more than 400 trees planted across the city. The nonprofit’s mission is to develop a long-term tree planting program that supports a diverse and resilient community forest and engages citizens through volunteerism and education about proper planting and care of trees.
“It feels good to drive by trees we’ve planted in years prior,” says Berg. “And we can provide this service at a small cost to make tree planting inclusive to community members that may have not been able to afford this service at full cost from a landscaping business. All of this wouldn’t happen without the generous help from our volunteers on planting day.”
To volunteer, sign-up at Rooted in Laramie’s website at www.rootedinlaramie.org or by filling out this form: https://bit.ly/RIL-VolunteerApp. Beyond the planting date, Rooted in Laramie welcomes any volunteers to help as board members or to serve on committees. For more information, visit their website, email RootedInLaramie@gmail.com, call 314- 550-6387 or visit them on Facebook or Instagram @RootedInLaramie.