Tree walks established, planting advice available
Sunny skies and warming temperatures have been enjoyed by Logan County residents in recent weeks, with individuals heading out for playground time, bike rides and even contemplating mowing their yards, welcome signs that spring is here after being buried by about a foot of snow toward the end of winter this year.
Amid the local outdoor opportunities, the Bellefontaine Shade Tree Commission is sharing some facts about its recently developed tree walks that are available at a number of parks within the city. The organization also wants citizens to know that its membership is available to assist with any springtime tree planting, pruning and care-taking questions that might arise.
The tree commission was established in 1975 and continues efforts each year to maintain the city’s Tree City USA status that was attained about 40 years ago.
Members meet regularly at 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Bellefontaine City Council Chambers. The group is represented by volunteers, city employees and elected officials. Visitors are invited to attend the sessions anytime.
“We’re always happy to field questions from the public and especially this time of year, we want the public to know that we’re available to help with their tree-related inquires,” member Cathy Dinovo said Monday.
Related to the tree walks, brochures with detailed maps are available at the Bellefontaine Parks and Recreation office, located on the second floor of the city building, 135 N. Detroit St. The brochures also can be downloaded from the Bellefontaine Shade Tree Commission’s website, www.ci.bellefontaine.oh.us/shade-tree-commission.html.
During recent years, the tree commission has labeled a number of trees at Blue Jacket Park, Jack Martin Park, Brown Park and Mary Rutan Park, along with three trees at Bellefontaine Cemetery, and two trees of interest maintained in city boulevards — a Tulip Poplar at 133 W. Chillicothe Ave. and a Sycamore at 620 S. Main St.
The plaques are installed directly on the trees in a manner that does not harm the tree, and provides their common name and scientific name, Dinovo said.
For individuals, families and groups interested in taking a tree walk, Dinovo recommended starting out with the Blue Jacket Park tree walk, as it is easy to follow along the walking path that is already in place. Fourteen total trees are labeled within the park.
At Blue Jacket, walkers should start by the skate park along Ludlow Road and check out the Kentucky Coffee tree, White Pine, Gingko and Honey Locust in that area. From there, they head north toward the softball field and then turn west along the path between the softball field and baseball field to see two Ohio Buckeye trees.
The map will guide walkers along the rest of the park to see an Austrian Pine, Siberian Elm, Black Walnut, Profusion Crabapple, Norway Maple, Japanese Lilac, White Oak and finally, a Littleleaf Linden near the intersection of Lake Avenue and Ludlow Road.
Nature enthusiasts can also take a tree walk by following maps provided for Jack Martin Park, Brown Park and Mary Rutan Park.
“It’s a nice way that people of all ages, from kids to adults, can learn more about their local parks and the native trees,” Dinovo said. “For the Blue Jacket Tree Walk, the online download from our website also provides more details on each of the specific trees — with pictures of what their leaves look like to the type of bark and size of the mature trees.”
Also coming up later this spring, the tree commission plans to resume their tradition of hosting tree giveaways at the Logan County Farmers’ Market, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 15. Last year, the group had to cancel their plans to host the spring activity because of COVID-19, but this year, they are looking forward to giving away 24” to 36” trees that are native to Ohio, with literature detailing how to plant the trees as well, Dinovo related.
The organization also typically conducts a spring tree planting with students at either Bellefontaine Middle School or Bellefontaine Elementary. Because of the pandemic, the group won’t be working alongside pupils to plant trees this spring, but will still be able to make the tree donation this year.
Springtime will be a busy season for the tree commission in other ways as well, as group members will update their inventory of trees within the city boulevards, parks and cemetery and make plans for tree replacement and maintenance as needed with assistance from the city and local contractors.
A major effort within the last year has included the replacement of aging trees within the cemetery.
To continue to maintain the health of the city’s urban forest, interested individuals are invited to join the cause as well.
“We’re seeking new volunteers, and if people want to find out more about what we do, they can come to a meeting or contact one of our members,” Dinovo said.