Sidney Tree Board set to give away trees

The Sidney Tree Board will celebrate Arbor Day with its annual tree giveaway on Saturday, April 25 at the Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp.

The celebration and tree giveaway has become a big part of the Sidney Tree Board’s community work as it strives to maintain a healthy tree canopy in the City of Sidney, which has been designated a Tree City USA for more than 20 years.

The board, which provides recommendations on the city’s tree plan and implementation, takes the opportunity to meet with community members and share information on the importance of a community’s trees.

In preparation for the giveaway, board members evaluate what they feel are trees that will not only work well in Sidney, but also provide diversity within the tree canopy.

“Our climate and soil provide unique challenges to tree survival,” says Board Chairman Tom VonSeggern. “In some ways that limits our choices for optimal success. But, we choose trees that should thrive here.”

VonSeggern adds that diversity in tree varieties is important for the overall health of a city’s tree population.

“If you just have a few species of trees and a disease or insect comes in that affects that species it can have a devastating result on the overall picture. But if you can have a wider variety of trees, then the affect doesn’t affect as large a percentage of your canopy.”

This year the board is offering nine different species of trees. Those include Valley Forge Elm, May Day Tree, But Oak, European Mountain Ash, Newport Plum, Skyline Honeylocust, Profusion Crab, Hot wings Maple, Miyabe Maple and Siouland Poplar. Tree sizes range from about 20 feet to nearly 80 feet when mature.

Gates open at 7 a.m. and residents from within the city of Sidney can browse trees and decide which would be best in their yard. They’ll then sign in, designating their tree preference.

The Arbor Day celebration begins at 8 a.m., followed by speaker Amy Seiler from the Nebraska Forest Service. As part of her program, Seiler will provide information about the different types of trees and good placement for them, then show participants how to properly prepare and plant their tree. Afterward, those attending will receive their trees. About 90 trees are slated to be given away.

The Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp board, which is serving as the day’s hosts, will be having an open house and providing coffee and donuts. Local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will be on hand to assist participants.