Local Group Working To Make Some Shade

Volunteers work to plant trees in Oskaloosa on Saturday. Trees Forever and other volunteers planted 150 new trees.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The cool and very windy morning on Saturday found dozens of volunteers working to plant trees in portions of Oskaloosa.

Craig Coen, Chairperson of Oskaloosa Trees Forever was busy planting trees between the sidewalk and curb. Coen said adding those trees back is extremely important since so many Ash trees have been removed due to the Emerald Ash Borer.

Trees Forever have been going since 1992 and typically planted 80 to 100 trees a year.

“That’s not even enough to keep up,” added Coen in response to all the trees being removed. “Our goal this year was to increase, and we’re going to do 150 trees.”

That number of 150 trees per year is their goal from now on Coen said.

Coen outlines the importance of trees along the street, including cleaning the air and being a natural cooling system for the urban heat island. They also provide windbreaks, protects roadways by providing shade, and increases property values.

Coen said that trees have also been shown to be a health benefit.

The money to purchase the trees is raised by private donation. “We’ve had some wonderful people helping,” added Coen. “We’re just lucky we have a community that helps us out.”

If you are interested in joining Trees Forever, Coen said you can email him at ccoen@mahaska.org.