City and partner staff told the Tree Advisory Board on Nov. 6 that the city will carry out a large series of plantings this fall and seek volunteer support to complete them.

Paul Bausman reported the schedule and counts: about 65 trees at Anthony Oates Park (this Saturday), 206 trees at the Gables Lisonbee Complex and Deaconess Sports Park (Nov. 15) and 39 trees at Evansville State Hospital (Nov. 22). Jacobsville neighborhood plantings are planned for Dec. 6 with site details to be determined. Staff estimated roughly 400 trees will be planted this fall, with a target of more than 500 over the fall/winter/spring period as nursery stock becomes available.

Organizers described logistics to speed planting and reduce volunteer strain: pre-drilled holes where possible, staging trees by hole, marking species in advance and having trucks or side-by-sides available to move trees on site. Volunteers were asked to bring gloves, kneepads and post-hole diggers or hand tools; staff said a team of two can plant about 15 trees in a two-hour shift under the staged arrangement.

Partners and donors were credited for supplies and funding to support plantings; staff noted one donor will sponsor two plantings at Van Park and that the Solid Waste District and a federal grant administered through a nonprofit (Westman Woods) helped the overall effort. Staff said Cone Landscaping will replace warranty trees where contractors are responsible.

Board members requested assistance recruiting volunteers from community groups and veteran volunteer networks for large events. Staff said they will mark species maps, call locates before digs and arrange for volunteers to help oversee groups on event days.

Organizers said the campaign prioritizes planting where canopy is low to improve community quality of life and recommended the “right tree in the right place” principle to avoid conflicts with utilities. The board encouraged members to attend planting events and help supervise volunteers.