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Charles Town tree board eyes community plantings, pollinator garden and spring sale changes
Summary
Board members reported a successful Kecapen tree sale (58 trees distributed), set an Oct. 19 volunteer planting at Willingham Knowles, discussed a pollinator garden and sought volunteers for a riparian planting with Trout Unlimited; they also proposed a small delivery fee for future tree sales.
Charles Town’s Tree Board on Oct. 10 reviewed recent outreach and scheduled community plantings while planning a pollinator garden and a riparian restoration with Trout Unlimited.
The board said the Kecapen Institute sale delivered 58 trees to roughly 14 addresses, noting the program nearly doubled last year’s participation. "We delivered 58 trees, I think, 14 different addresses," the staff member summarized, and the group discussed charging a modest delivery fee — suggested $10–$15 per tree — to recover staff time and fuel for delivery.
The board confirmed a fall planting on Oct. 19 at Willingham Knowles; Jim will rent an auger on the tree board budget to prepare holes, and the city posted a social media call for volunteers. Chair described the planting as an "easy peasy" volunteer opportunity with pre‑dug holes and said he hopes it will provide an educational planting demonstration for residents and youth.
On the skate-park pollinator project, the chair described a plan to seed a hillside with sunflowers and other wild seed mixes and to seek up to $1,000 from FirstEnergy for seed and topsoil. The board discussed timing for a November work day and engaging community groups such as the Boy Scouts and Rance Community Gardens for a weeding/seeding event.
The board also discussed coordinating with Trout Unlimited for a riparian planting and arranging volunteer release forms to limit liability; staff confirmed a volunteer release form is available. Members emphasized safety around power tools and chainsaws and planned targeted tagging of large dead or hazardous trees for removal.
Next steps: institute and test a delivery fee structure for future sales, finalize volunteer schedules for Oct. 19 and the riparian planting, and pursue small foundation or corporate grants to cover seed and soil costs.
