Volunteer Tree Planting Events

Volunteer Tree Planting Events

Mason City partners with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Trees Forever and Alliant Energy for the Trees for Kids and Branching Out Programs to plant trees increasing the community’s tree canopy. We focus on diversifying the population of trees and creating strategies to maintain and increase our urban forest throughout the community, including residential, commercial and industrial areas and neighborhoods as well as school property.

Trees supply fresh air, lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves, improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water, and their roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion. These attributes provide positive, measurable impacts on the quality of life in the community.

Tree planting projects are integral to the City’s street tree planting plan which endeavors to provide a more pleasant environment and increase the tree canopy in all areas of town which will benefit the entire community.

Trees are placed to infill spots where there is no or limited landscaping, shrubs or trees. Locations to plant trees are selected based on diversity and heartiness to our North Iowa environment.

Energy Efficiency Benefits

Trees planted today offer benefits to the environment for years to come. They promote improvement of air quality through the filtering process of the leaves and provide climate control by moderating the effects of sun, wind and rain. Trees reduce storm run-off, erosion and possibility of flooding and improve water quality through purification by slowing and filtering rain water.

Street trees help moderate climate conditions. Dark surfaces such as asphalt will absorb solar heat and radiate it back to adjacent buildings. Sunlight striking light colored surfaces like concrete can reflect the solar heat to nearby buildings. Conversely, sunlight hitting tree foliage will be dissipated through evapotranspiration rather than radiate back into nearby structures, helping cool the pavement and reduce energy consumption of the nearby commercial buildings and residential properties. Planting street trees provide an effective traffic calming tool along busy roadways.

Trees planted along the street segments are situated to provide shade and windbreak for the properties assisting in energy conservation. Neighborhood residents, visitors and folks traveling through the area can enjoy the beauty and benefits of the trees.

Diversity

In 2015 the City completed an inventory of trees located on City-owned properties and right-of-way. In developing planting plans, consideration is given to species/cultivar diversity, identifying species that do well in our zone; appropriateness for conditions in a given area; conformance with the City’s tree planting plan and species regulations; and anticipated availability from local nurseries.

Care and Maintenance

Care and maintenance will include watering, fertilizing, mulching and pruning as needed for raising healthy, vibrant trees. The City Street / Parks Department care for the trees in the City right-of-way and in parks as a part of their maintenance program.

Education and Advocacy

The City and its Volunteer Coordinator work with the local school districts to organize student participation and an educational presentation on planting day. The educational presentation includes the benefits of trees, the importance of planting a variety of disease resistance species and the basics in planting and care of trees.

Students learn the value of planting trees in all areas of a community – not just residential neighborhoods or parks. Students also get hands-on experience planting the trees. These events enhance classroom studies and engage student participation in community improvement.

Volunteer Involvement and Community Awareness

City Street and Park staff provides labor and equipment to dig the holes and provide mulching material for the projects. On planting day, they also provide the labor and equipment to assist the volunteers. Student volunteers of all age levels from elementary to high school are coordinated through the City’s Volunteer Coordinator. The local school districts have been fantastic partners in completing many community tree planting events as a part of their environmental stewardship curriculum.

The Trees For Kids and Branching Out projects have been tremendously successful and student, youth and adult volunteers have enjoyed participating. It is because of their help, we have been able to facilitate and provide educational opportunities on the benefits of establishing and maintaining a healthy urban forest.