Legacy Tree Planting and Lunch

A beautiful sunny day. Check! A delightful group of Master Gardeners. Check! Leaving a legacy. Check! A yummy lunch. Check! An informative speaker. Check! As the saying goes, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit”.

A group of approximately 20 Master Gardeners, one son, and a few SOREC staff gathered on April 22 to celebrate Arbor Day by planting two native Western Redbud trees (Cercis occidentalis) at the west end of the Extension. These trees were chosen to replace the existing ones whose falling leaves and pods were filling the gutters and causing a fire hazard. Additionally, small critters were able to climb onto the Extension building roof from the overhanging branches and get into the building.

Western Redbuds grow to a height of only 10′-15′. They also are a four-season tree best known for beautiful pink blossoms in the spring. In the summer, their heart-shaped leaves are a rich green that turn yellow in the fall. The leaves appear after the flowers fade. It requires sun or light shade and little water.

The OSU Foundation sponsored the event and paid for one tree and the lunch. Master Gardener Annette Carter purchased the trees at Plant Oregon and JCMGA paid for the second tree. Grace Florjancic, our fearless JCMGA coordinator, claiming she loves to dig holes, dug two before the event began (THANK YOU, Grace!). Everyone who attended helped plant the trees. SOREC Director Alec Levin placed the redbuds in the holes. The soil around them was shoveled in by having each person doing one or two scoops. Master Gardeners Lucy Pyllki and Marci Katz were in charge of the lunch and decorations. Jennifer Milburn, Assistant Vice President of the OSU Foundation, spoke during the lunch, explaining the services the foundation provides. We all found it very interesting and informative.

All in all, the day was all we could ask for. A beautiful sunny day. Check! A delightful group of Master Gardeners. Check!  Leaving a legacy. Check!  A yummy lunch. Check!  An informative speaker. Check!      Photos taken by Sandy O’Neill