Soon, at last, spring returns and the sap rises. Some of your neighbors have already tapped their maples for syrup. In just a few weeks the buds of dormant hardwoods will swell and 150,000 wooded acres (60% of the county) will go green. So let’s take a minute to focus our attention on current and future activities in the county that honor and care for our valuable trees and woodlands.
In the forested East it would be easy to take a tree for granted. But consider: What is the value of a single tree; of a young forest; of a mature forest? Several groups of local groups are exploring these questions and responding by creating tree-centric projects, and you are invited to join them.
SustainFloyd is offering the Adopt-a-Tree program. It was created to help churches, schools and community groups, as well as private families to plant 1 to 3 small trees. These “service trees” will eventually support birds and other animals that enjoy the fruits and nuts of native trees. Act right away! There are a limited number of trees available. Information about how to apply can be found at the link.  https://sustainfloyd.org/programs/trees/
Partnership for Floyd is working on the establishment and upgrades of three public educational hiking trails in Floyd. They are making signs and labels to identify trees and other perennials with information on how these plants and their associated wildlife are connected to us in our web of life. The plan is to replace some alien species with native ones and to have benches, picnic tables and even a bird blind near a marsh sanctuary. The hope is to engage our community in the use of these trails to bring people closer to nature and to each other.
The Wild Garden Club is an educational social club that joins nature-loving people together to share knowledge about gardens and our environment here in Floyd. From guided hikes through old forests and orchards to library presentations from experts on soil, water and trees we help our community grow closer to our Mother Nature. If interest in joining contact  JaneWildGarden@gmail.com
More Trees Please! Forest Initiative is a new organization here in Floyd! We want to help landowners reforest because trees draw C02 out of the atmosphere and sequester it in the soil. We can help you access state and federal cost-share programs, organize site visits with professional foresters to assess your soil and make species recommendations, help you order seedlings (at reduced prices when buying in bulk!), have access to discounted physical barrier materials, and organize volunteer planting parties. To volunteer or for more information email more.trees.please.reforestation@gmail.com or visit https://floydmoretreesplease.wordpress.com
Every tree, planted new or already established, accomplishes the hopes and intentions of all these groups of tree-tenders and benefits all of our living community. Trees offer shade and water retention; provide habitat and nesting spaces; give us edible fruits for humans and wildlife; produce the oxygen we breathe and take CO2 out of the air; and grant us the real but intangible good that life among trees can bring to poets and travelers, farmers and families.
