By Lauren Richards, Natural Resources Specialist
Spring is here and that means tree planting time at Preservation Parks! This year we planted 13,500 tree and shrub seedlings, along with 97 potted trees across 17 acres. Park staff and volunteers planted at Shale Hollow Park in two fields near Hyatts Road, Emily Traphagen Park near the newly constructed wetland, and McCammon Creek Park, a property not yet open to the public.
A diverse mix of native species were chosen based on the conditions of each site. Species planted that prefer moist soil conditions include pin oak, red maple, silky dogwood, swamp white oak, button bush, and Bebb’s willow. Species planted that prefer drier soil conditions include bitternut hickory, paw paw, sugar maple, hackberry, staghorn sumac, red oak, and many others.
Thank you to all the volunteer groups who came out to help including Leadership Delaware Class of 2022, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Olentangy Liberty High School AP Environmental Science class. These volunteers braved all of the weather conditions an Ohio spring brings, from snow and rain to sunshine.
Also, thanks to those who donated materials or staff time including Green Columbus, Arbor Day Foundation, Riverside Native Nursery, and Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District.
