Winter weather seems to be finally moving out. Warmer weather invites us to venture outside and get started on yard work. For some that might involve planting a tree or two. But what trees to plant? And where? And how?
Rooted in Laramie has answers. And the local nonprofit is offering the chance for people to gain hands-on tree-planting experience by volunteering during their 5th annual tree planting on Saturday, June 3.
“Planting day is a fun morning of getting your hands dirty and connecting with the community,” says Hilery Lindmier, Rooted in Laramie board chair. “It’s also a great chance to chat with people about trees and tree care while enjoying the outdoors.”
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 and how to properly stake and mulch the tree.
“If someone has never dug a hole before they shouldn’t worry,” adds Lindmier. “This is a great opportunity to learn from experienced gardeners so you can return home and better nurture your own trees or successfully plant something new.”
Rooted in Laramie sold 60 trees earlier this year during their highly anticipated annual online sale. This year’s sale features 14 different varieties that should suit most home landscapes.
Laramie-tested, large choices include Bur Oak and Skyline and Shademaster honeylocusts. Other shade tree options that are Dutch Elm disease-resistant are the Accolade and Triumph elms. If looking for spring flowers, the Spring Snow and Thunderchild crabapples are great selections, as well as the Toba Hawthorn.
For a slightly larger tree but still ornamental in show, the Sucker Punch Chokecherry, ‘Autumn Brillance’ Serviceberry and Swedish Whitebeam are available. New additions this year are fruit trees such as Honeycrisp Apple and Evans Bali Cherry.
This year’s Shawver Tree, sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Laramie, is the beloved Hot Wings Tatarian Maple.
“The trees sold out really quickly this year, ” says Lindmier. “We’d really love to plant a hundred or more a year, but first we need to grow our volunteer base.”
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 Laramie Woman’s Club, King’s Snow and Landscape, Kyle Spradley Photography and Wyoming Trees. 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 350 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.
To volunteer, sign-up at Rooted in Laramie’s website at www.rootedinlaramie.org or by filling out this online informational 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 307-742- 6076 or visit them on Facebook or Instagram @RootedInLaramie.