Jefferson again named a Tree City USA city
It’s spring, and the Jefferson tree committee will again plant trees in Jefferson. This year’s planting takes place on Arbor Day, April 24.
The committee will plant more than 100 trees with the help of Greene County eighth grade science students and instructor Dalton Faber. Peoples Bank in Jefferson is donating water for the planting team.
Planting begins at 9 am on north Chestnut St and Wilson Ave and will move south from the railroad tracks.The planting rain date is May 1.
A variety of trees have been purchased from Papio Valley Nursery. They include maple, oak, hackberry, bald cypress, honeylocust, plane tree, Kentucky coffee tree, and tree lilac. Planting will be in the parkings lining the streets, and holes will be dug by city workers.
This year funding comes from two sources: a $5,000 grant from Alliant Energy and a two-year $30,000 grant from the Iowa DNR. The DNR grant will enable the tree committee to plant trees again in the fall.
Trees will be watered throughout the year by the Jefferson Kiwanis Club, and tree diapers will also be purchased with the DNR funds. These diapers absorb rainwater and then slowly release it back to trees when the soil dries.
On April 8 Brad Riphagen, Brian Button, and Cassie Dozier of the Tree Committee attended the annual Tree City USA luncheon in Ankeny. At this meeting Jefferson was again named a Tree City USA city.
