Here is an entry from Tamara about ReTREE this past weekend!

Equipped with shovels, rakes, stakes, 10lb stake pounders, bellies topped with doughnuts (thank you Mary and Bruce Beyer for that donation from Mazureks) and coffee (tsk tsk Spot), and hearts loaded with ambition over 20 volunteers took to the streets searching for freshly dug holes just waiting to provide earthy homes for baby foliage.  The inspiration for this latest community endeavor was sparked by the ReTREE WNY initiative, which was formed in response to the devastating loss of area trees after the October 2006 snowstorm.  ReTREE has a goal of planting 3,000 trees over the next 5 years and, if my achy shoulders are any indication, ReUse did its part on May 3.

We divided into several little teams within a handful of street teams.  Each volunteer was steadfast and relentless in getting the job of planting almost 150 trees into their new spot.  Locations for each tree were mapped out via the city’s determination of what fit best where and a mini-training session ensured that we knew the proper steps for getting those babies nested.  I learned a great deal about what it takes to keep trees happy and safe.  I also learned that Buffalo is a city brimming with clay (which, in excess, does not make trees happy) and that wet clay is H-E-A-V-Y clay!   Fortunately, we didn’t have to dig holes by hand (a scary assumption) as Michael had already taken care of this step with a skidsteer and auger attachment. Nevertheless, holes not deep or wide enough to accommodate the roots required plenty of muscle.  It seemed most teams quickly fell into a steady rhythm and individual roles—snip twine, free roots, measure/alter hole, cover roots, add tree cocktail, stake to secure, admire…next!

Except for the final couple hours of steady, cold rain making the tools slippery and turning regular boots into muddy clown shoes, the day was perfect for planting trees!  Cool and cloudy enough to whisk away sweat and ending with a steady drizzle that immediately nourished our thirsty tree roots.  Caesandra said it would be a 9 am – 3 pm event and at 2:58 pm the crew returned to our ReSource home base for a potluck picnic and hot dog debate and eating of Michael’s Mom’s taco salad and stuffing of Tysha’s Mom’s tortellini kabobs!  Finally, after the last rice-krispie treat was devoured, bathtubs and couches across the city called each of us home.  I slept very well that night!