The Saltcoats Beautification Committee, a committee of the Town of Saltcoats, and many helpers planted 100 trees to celebrate 2020 Arbor Day (and week).
The Saltcoats committee headed by Gerri Knudsen and Councillor Ron Knudsen, organized a successful three days of tree planting along the East side of the school grounds but on town land. Beautification Committee members Monique Smith and husband Glen, school Advisory member Marilyn Herron, and friend Dolores Torrie were involved the first day when 50 seedlings of Sundancer Poplar were planted. The job of hole digging was made so much easier because Suzy and Irving Switzer, of Switzer's Home Grown Farm, lent us their tree hole augerr. Ron and Glen manned the machine and then Monique, Gerri, Marilyn and Dolores planted and watered the seedlings.
Day 2 was the day to drill the bigger holes for the spruce trees. Dean Wiley, and Ron, manned the Switzer machine. Gerri and young friend Kalliegh McCallum watered the seedlings again.
Day 3's volunteers had the extra work of going to the mature shelterbelt on the North side of Town (Tupper St.) and digging 50 smaller spruce from all the self-seeded trees growing thick in there. Volunteers included Beautification members Tom McIntyre, Ron and Gerri, Monique Smith, and community volunteers Steve and Crystal Farquharson, and Marilyn Herron. The trees were then planted with the additional help of some families who came at separate times to facilitate proper social distancing. Tina Nabozniak-Wog and Gabe, J'nae, and niece Lea, and nephew, Rooke Mickle. Jace and Kalli McCallum helped water.
The last group of trees were planted by Dana Kostelnyk and daughters Mykhela and Isabella with Gramma Dolores Torrie supervising.
The last step was to pound in posts to protect the trees. Over half are done thanks to Steve Farquharson, Tom McIntyre and Ron Knudsen. We need some additional thin wooden or metal fence posts to finish the rows.
Thanks again to all who helped. Many hands make light work. It will be satisfying to all to see those trees develop shade and wind protection for the students.
Happy Arbor Week - plant a tree or two!
