City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/115252
Arbor Day Snapshot: Minneapolis, Minnesota Story and photos by Ralph Sievert, Director of Forestry, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board 2012 calendar year to 5400. Arbor Week 2012 was also used to remind residents to water boulevard trees. Utilizing the MPRB Forestry Department mascot, Elmer the Elm Tree, an aggressive tree watering campaign called "Elmer says... Water Trees Weekly" was launched to encourage this simple yet important task. Part of this campaign taught residents that it only costs $3 to water a boulevard tree once a week, with 20 gallons, throughout the growing season. In April, Minneapolis is receiving an Arbor Day Foundation Award for its 2012 Arbor Week activities. (below) Lions Club volunteers came out for "Northside Treecovery" in Minneapolis. A Girl Scout waters a newly planted tree during Arbor Week in Minneapolis. I n Minneapolis, Minnesota Arbor Week 2012 (May 15th to 19th) was part of a larger community tree planting effort known as "Northside Treecovery." The impetus for this undertaking was in response to an EF2 tornado that swept across the heavily populated residential neighborhoods on the northside of Minneapolis on May 22, 2011. The human toll was remarkably and fortunately small; the most extensive damage came to infrastructure, including the mature urban forest. By the time the cleanup was completed, approximately 2,600 trees were destroyed and required removal. Because the tornado destroyed so many trees across four neighborhoods, it became evident that a multiple day event would be needed to properly address the need for trees while involving neighborhood residents along with corporate and community partners. At the conclusion of Arbor Week, more than 475 volunteers helped plant over 1000 new trees. In addition to these 1000 trees, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's (MPRB) Forestry Department planted 2200 more trees as part of the "Northside Treecovery" effort. During the remainder of the spring and in the fall, Forestry crews planted 2200 more trees in other parts of the City, bringing the total number of new trees planted in Minneapolis during the 30 City Trees