Haiwatha High teacher brings 475 native saplings to Kirkland for free distribution

Josh Dodge, Haiwatha High School agriculture teacher and greenhouse manager, told the Kirkland Tree Advisory Commission on April 14 that he had purchased 475 one‑year‑old, bare‑root native saplings from Mason State Nursery and had students pot them for distribution to residents.

"The trees were to be given away to residents, without concern for remuneration," Dodge said, adding that 20–30% of the saplings—particularly pecan, hickory and oak—may not emerge from dormancy. He gave a distribution timeline: the high‑school greenhouse will open to the public on May 1; it will be safe to place trees outside the greenhouse beginning May 10; and the greenhouse will be cleaned out and closed on May 22, at which point remaining trees should be planted or otherwise cared for.

Commission members volunteered roles for outreach and care. Jeff Miller offered to design a flyer to accompany the next water bill; Brian Benes said he would coordinate a Facebook notice and contact Village Clerk Leslie; Melinda Quigley said she would post details on the Garden Club Facebook page. Matt Felix suggested asking the DeKalb County Forest Preserve whether it could accept leftover saplings; Jim Stark proposed using an opening in Public Works land as a temporary sapling nursery for future transplantings. The Commission discussed the possibility of fall planting if summer watering can be arranged.

Members also discussed providing care instructions with each tree; Dodge said his students could likely prepare care cards. The Commission indicated it would help arrange summer care if needed and will follow up on logistics before the greenhouse close date.

Clarifying details in the meeting record show the nursery order included 25 shagbark hickory, 100 red maple, 100 bald cypress, 100 sycamore, 100 swamp white oak, 25 pecan and 25 elderberry; the order total was listed as $335 with a $152 shipping charge (amount paid $487).