Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
As the ground warms and buds begin to bloom, another sure sign of spring returns: Tree saplings at the Library! Starting Saturday, March 28, you can pick up a tree sapling at any branch; a feat made possible through partnering with the Ohio Valley Forestry Fellowship (OVFF).
This year will mark 25 years of bringing tree saplings to Greater Cincinnati via Library locations across the county! Tom Boeing, president of the OVFF, said the organization has given away 95,000 tree saplings since 2001 at Library giveaway events! The OVFF also hosts tree saplings across the county at schools, organizations like the Civic Garden Center, and more.
These partnerships, said OVFF President Tom Boeing, helps their organization provide greater access to saplings as well as helps plant the idea of how trees benefit the community.
“Trees purify the air,” said Tom. “One thing I like to point out is: On a hot summer day, do you want to sit on a park bench in the sunshine, or do you want to find a park bench in the shade? It helps cool the planet; it really does, especially in urban areas.”
How to Pick Up and Plant a Tree Sapling
Volunteers will prepare 2,500 trees to be distributed across all 41 Library locations starting Saturday, March 28. Species will include White Oak, White Pine, and Roughleaf Dogwood.
The seedlings’ roots are individually bagged. Planting instructions and the species names are attached to each bag.
The key? Plant as soon as you can, said Tom. After picking up a sapling, plant it within one to two days. Keep the sapling’s roots moist and out of the sunlight until it’s planted. Can’t get it into the ground that quickly? Plant it in the pot in the meantime.
CHPL, Tom pointed out, has access points across the county — 41, to be specific. Tom said some neighborhoods have poor or less tree canopy.
“I feel this is a great way to really cover as much as you can,” said Tom of the giveaways. “We love to promote tree planting, but we also love to promote the idea. I think that’s what we’re achieving with school kids and the Library. It’s getting here. It’s in your backyard. You can watch it grow. You can have the experience of ‘Wow, I planted that.’”
About the Ohio Valley Forestry Fellowship
The OVFF formed in 1979 with a group of like-minded friends who had the idea to grow 6,000 pine trees on a farm in Brown County.
After becoming a nonprofit organization, the group planted trees for 23 different farmers — transitioning fields into forests — over the next decade.
“It just grew. We started doing tree giveaways. We started planting in other places like along highways and streets,” said Tom. Since 1980, OVFF has helped plant over 560,000 trees.
The OVFF aims to increase the size and diversity of the Buckeye State’s forest canopy as well as distribute seedlings to communities and educate people on best planting practices. Chances are you’ve walked, driven by, or strolled past one of their trees planted over decades.
For more information, including how to volunteer, visit ovfftrees.org.
Call your preferred branch ahead of time to ensure tree saplings are in stock! Tree sapling giveaways are first come, first served.
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