March 12th: Planting Date Set!

It's official!! Planting date for this season is Saturday, March 12th. Trees will arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. Volunteers should arrive then, as well.

This year we are planting in those short blocks just west of where we planted last time - a couple blocks west of Hampton next to the former Albertson's (now Rio Grande) and behind the CVS (but in the Jefferson median, naturally).

BEFORE

Bring gloves, shovels, wire cutters and depending on the weather -- sunscreen, a jacket, or rain gear. This is Texas after all!

Please tell all your Oak Cliff friends. We have 22 trees coming and it's good to have 3 people per tree so we need a lot of volunteers. We got done in 2 1/2 hours last time and with enough people we can do that again.

See you on March 12th!

AFTER

A Tree Is Born

Actually, 18 trees were born. Saturday was a great day. Yes, it was cold, wet and gray, but Saturday was a great day. Everybody woke to 40 degree weather and drizzle, which didn't us from getting out there. There were Steve Hauser, Dallas Urban Forest Advisorary Chair, with Karen Woodard, Dallas City Forester, and the Citizen Foresters were out there and ready to plant.Also out were an assortment of neighbors, city council members (Thanks, Delia), tree lovers, gawkers, babies, and bicyclists.

The Caddo Maples and Burr Oaks were delivered early, and they were heavy as we expected. Because of the distance from where they were delivered to the holes, we had to roll them. It was fun. I definitely recommend tree rolling for strangers. The weather chilled a bit, but everybody toughed it out. All the trees were rolled fairly quickly to their respective holes, and small crews would do the actual planting.

Watching the first tree being planted was special. This is a project that has taken a long time, and a lot of hours have been put into the planning of it by a number of people. So, it was great to see this project come to fruition. This is just phase one of a multi-phase project, but it was incredible. Hearing the people honks their horns in support as they drove by and watching all the volunteers working and having fun, I really could envision the finished project.

18 trees transformed a corner, but we've got bigger plans. Oak Cliff is a great place, and Jefferson is one of our great boulevards. Soon it will be a street people go out of there way to drive down, and we can say, "I remember when..." A huge thanks to all the volunteers who helped out and everybody who gave us some press (Roy Appleton, Granny Geek). You guys are awesome. This is a true community project, and we need you going forward. Hope you'll stay along for the ride. Things will only get better.

Jason