This is the very first year of Forest ReLeaf's Tree Tenders program!
Forest ReLeaf’s Tree Tenders program is closing out its fourth week, and things are going “Tree”riffic! Over the past few weeks, we have not only spent time with trees, but have helped others in the community with their gardens, meadows and parks. To kick off the program, the teens were introduced to tree identification and learned how to look at leaves to determine what species of tree they were looking at. Working with the Forest Park Arboriculture crew, we were able to assist in brush clean-up after they cut down a large black cherry and an extremely old oak. So far, this was one of the crew’s favorite projects!
Tree Tenders cruise through the Forest ReLeaf tree nursery
Additionally, we have learned how to identify and remove invasive species at Bellefontaine Cemetery and O’Fallon Park, potted herbs at Greenscape Gardens, mulched and watered trees in St. Louis City Parks, and potted seedlings at Forest ReLeaf’s CommuniTree Gardens Nursery. The first month has flown by and the Tree Tenders are excited to learn more about urban forestry in the coming weeks!
Tree Tenders and the Outdoor Youth Corps took a working field trip together to Greenscape Gardens to pot up plants in the greenhouses
The Tree Tenders program is a partnership between Forest ReLeaf, the City of St. Louis, and the Funders’ Network.
by Mariah McGee, Forest ReLeaf Crew Leader