Historical Summer 2009 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
For many years, the triangleshaped greenspace at Waterman, Laurel, and DeGiverville was cared for by neighbors Ronnie Haliburton , Michael Butler, and the dedicated gardeners of the Block Unit 1035 Community Garden, who planted, mowed and watered the area there. Last summer, the large tree in the center of the greenspace fell in a heavy storm.
After the fallen tree was cleared away, all that remained was a magnolia tree, also the sculpture known as “Flight,” and a few traces of the plantings from the Block Unit 1035 volunteers.
The fall of the big tree was not a loss, but rather an opportunity, as the old tree was a “weed tree,” and with it being removed there now is room to plant a healthy selection of choice trees which will grow to create a cool canopy of shade trees, understory trees, and flowering trees.
The St. Roch sixth grade Girl Scout Troop 268 recently helped the Skinker DeBaliviere beautification committee create something that will have a long lasting effect on our neighborhood.
The girls helped plant a parcel of trees on the triangle shaped greenspace on Waterman at Laurel and DeGiverville.
The oaks, birches, cypress, and redbuds which the girls planted were awarded through a grant which the beautification committee obtained with the help of Gateway Greening, from Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. Forest ReLeaf’s “Project Communitree” provides trees to groups who qualify and present a solid plan for care of trees to enhance our community’s natural environments.
After the scouts dug holes, planted, watered, and mulched the trees, they each gave their tree an original name: “Rusty English Scissors,” “Harry Marlborough,” “Pepe Napoon,” “Baby Joe,” “Belinda,” “No Parking,” “Emmett Kellen Lynn,” and “Tall Strawberry Banana Mango Smoothie” Before planting, the plan was approved by the Department of Forestry. Chris McCarthy of Forestry visited the location and consulted on the layout of the site and selection of the trees.
She also provided top grade mulch for the trees and gave us a beautiful bur oak tree.
Most of the trees selected are native to Missouri, including a fine serviceberry which was purchased with a prize voucher from Missouri Grow Native, awarded to the McPherson Community Garden for best use of native plants in a contest from Gateway Greening last year.
The goal of Missouri Grow Native is to guide Missourians to select native plants and trees for our landscapes and gardens. Planting natives creates a healthy, natural environment for wildlife and people as well.
The serviceberry was purchased from nearby BoWood Farms Nursery, which participates in the Grow Native program and can help you select native plants for your garden. Along with the trees, a variety of shrubs and flowers have been planted, including an oakleaf hydrangea from Gateway Greening, an Arbor Day redbud seedling provided by Joe Reed, daylilies, iris, black-eyed susans, lambsears, and more from the McPherson Community Garden and the S.D. Plant exchange. Of course a large collection of Operation Brightside’s marigolds and dianthus grace this project along with many other planting projects throughout our neighborhood. Funding for some of the trees was provided by the late Arlan Schlosser, which were planted for Linda Cross in memory of her father, an avid outdoorsman. Planting trees is only one part of the equation. For the next two or three years the beautification committee will care for the trees until they are established.
The trees will be mulched, weeded, trimmed, and watered.
When these trees are mature they will create a shade island, as they cast a cool shadow on the big expanse of asphalt that surrounds their turf.
This careful selection of trees will provide color and beauty in every season.
Original photograph caption
Rachel Boxdorfer, Girl Scout Leader, Mary Rater, Katie Manneback, Gretchen Boxdorfer, Tierra Griffen, Rachel Bundstein, and Sarah Jane Cross. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2009.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2009_06.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
