Council coordinates with OG&E on April tree giveaway, plans town planting in Memorial Park

Council members discussed a community tree giveaway and volunteer planting day organized by OG&E, with a tentative pickup at TJ Park in Langston and a town planting at Memorial Park.

Council members said OG&E will make hundreds of trees available to residents on a first-come, first-served basis and that the company has earmarked roughly 8–10 trees for the town to plant behind the water tower as a screening row. Town staff and council members discussed coordinating volunteers for planting and whether OG&E will provide mulch and volunteers to dig and plant the trees.

Speakers raised practical concerns about aftercare at Memorial Park: there is no spigot or permanent water source at the park and council members discussed using 5‑gallon watering bags, coordinating tanker support from local fire trucks, or ensuring volunteers bring water. The council asked OG&E for a list of species; speakers mentioned Schumard oak, lacebark elm and disease-resistant elm varieties as possibilities. Town staff said OG&E will post details on its website and the town will repost the information to help residents pre-plan.

Council members discussed outreach and logistics: posting information and a small note about how residents can access neighborhood trees, setting aside the town’s allotment for Langston/Coyle pickup, and whether reservation or pre-registration would be needed (OG&E’s approach is first-come, first-served, the council said). The pickup will be at TJ Park in Langston and OG&E indicated it will donate 38 trees specifically for Langston Incorporated residents; the council said it will coordinate so community volunteers and residents can benefit.

The council did not take formal action at the meeting; members asked staff to follow up with OG&E on a planting list, mulch availability and volunteer scheduling so the town can advertise and organize the volunteer planting event.