Free Tree Day Is Thursday
From Shelley Mills, MSU Extension - Valley County
Free Tree Day. This year, we are branching out and taking some trees to Opheim and hosting a Free Tree Day in Opheim so individuals living in the north country can participate in our event, too!
Both events will be held next Thursday May 7th. The Glasgow event will be on the East lawn of the courthouse as in the past. But we will be starting at 9:00 a.m. this year. Our volunteers have a long way to travel, and it is difficult for them to be here at 6 a.m. to set up so we have opted to start later this year.
The Opheim event will be taking place the same day, Thursday, May 7th, at the Gazebo in the Opheim park at 1:00 p.m. Dick and Darlene Fulton have agreed to take the lead on hosting in Opheim.
As always, we wish to thank our very important donors and sponsors for supporting Free Tree Day. Without them, we would not be able to provide this event. The purchase price of the trees each year is fully funded by these donations and sponsorships. Prairie House Gardens pays the shipping for the trees. I’d also like to thank our very important volunteers who make it possible to gift these trees to Valley County residents. And a huge thank you to former Commissioner David Pippin who created this event over 20 years ago. We have given away over 20,000 trees since it’s inception.
These are the trees that we will be giving away:
Tilia americana – American linden – Large (60 -80 ft) pyramidal to oval-shaped deciduous tree with heart-shaped leaves and highly fragrant mid-summer flowers. Important for pollinators, this tree prefers moist, well-drained soils but is adaptable.
Syringa vulgaris – common lilac – A time-honored classic for Eastern Montana, this shrub has early, fragrant, violet blossoms and grows to 15 feet tall and 4- 6 feet wide. They prefer full sun and well-drained soils.
Juglans nigra – black walnut – Large (50 – 90ft) native hardwood tree with edible nuts, slow growing and inhibit growth of plants under its canopy.
Celtis occidentalis – Hackberry – Hardy, fast-growing native shade tree (50 – 70 feet) very tolerant to heat, drought, salt and poor soils. Excellent for boulevards, and urban landscapes. Often used to replace American elm
Amelanchier alnifolia – Saskatoon berry (Service berry) Also known as June berries, are a native shrub ( 6 – 16 feet) that produces dark purple, nutrient dense fruits known for their sweet almond-like flavor. Hardy and extremely cold-tolerant, prefers full sun.
Cornus sericea – Dogwood – small shrub (3 – 9 feet) with red stems that provide visual interest in winter. It has small white flowers which develop into small white berries that are an important food source for birds. Works well in hedges and spreads through suckering.
