A tree planting epic

Many years ago when the club was young a team of us built a fence around a farm.  It was hard work; we got it done after a fashion, but then the average age of club members was about 42. 

About 10 years ago we planted a whole bunch of Memorial Trees at Central Park, the soil was soft but the work was hard; we got it done, but then the average age of the club members was about 56.

Today we planted 30 Memorial Trees at Maple Park. We feel old.

It rained all day yesterday and I was glad of it.  Rain would certainly soften up the ground and the Maple Park area is known for its soft sandy loam anyway.  Well let me tell you, it doesn’t always work out that way. 

You see it all the time with new construction: they strip away the topsoil, pummel the ground with all kinds of heavy equipment, bury loads of construction debris and then cover it all again with topsoil and grass.  Perfect; but just don’t try digging there.  That’s what we worked with today.

True enough the rain had softened the topsoil, but no amount of rain will make it easy digging through old asphalt, electrical cables, rock and compacted limestone.  But we had the Axeman wielding his pick axe and he made a difference.  Anyway, over two back-breaking hours we dug thirty holes, each about a yard in diameter and 2 feet deep. We eased a young but sturdy native tree into each and back-filled the holes adding a half bag of cow manure as we went.  A quick barrow-load of wood chips and a drenching of water and there you have it: the makings of a forest. 

These 30 trees are the latest addition to the club’s Memorial Tree Project.  With the help of the city we have started on a glade of native trees each of which is, or will be, memorialized in the name of a lost loved one.  Just today, as we worked, Rick Howarth sold 9 trees to various families who had previously expressed interest in the opportunity.

We got it done and the average age of the club might well be coming down, but for the most part it was a bunch of older guys at work.  True, we did have Nancy Brady and her friend Marilyn contributing youth and charm to the event.

I’ll confide that my bones ached for a while after that, but it was good fun, good fellowship and a good time at the Dickens afterwards.

P. Scribe