Assisted by the First Westminister Scout group and through Tree Canada and Humboldt Home Hardware, 65 trees were purchased and planted at the Humboldt Water Tower, Water Ridge Park, and St. Elizabeth Park.
This is the second year in a row for this initiative and Humboldt Home Hardware General Manager, Dean Possberg, says this is a great way to give back to the community.
Keith Dodge with Tree Canada says the trees are ones that grow well in our Saskatchewan climate. The apple trees will grow up to six feet tall.
Dodge was very happy to see trees and green space all around Humboldt.
“It’s nice that they aren’t just planting trees from Tree Canada. I see all around the town they’re planting different groups of trees in all different places. Must be in their blood to do so.”
This is just the beginning for the improvements to the Water Tower Park. Saskatoon berry bushes, Crab apple and sour cherry trees were planted around what will be the perimeter of a community garden planned for the next several years, as well as larger trees for a picnic area closer to the tower.
“We’ve been looking for more space,” says Director of Community and Leisure Services, Darrell Lessmeister. “We’ve got a waiting list for people who want community garden space. The Community Garden Association has done a lot of work and there are a lot more people who want to get involved.”
Green space is extremely important and to have these areas within the city provide a lot of benefits, says Lessmeister.
After using all the possible space at the Water Tower and filling some spaces in Water Ridge Park, it was decided the remaining trees would be planted at the St. Elizabeth convent for the Elizabeth low income housing facility.
Agnus Pratchler was very please to get the call from Possberg.
With apple trees and Saskatoon berry bushes on the grounds that the nuns transplanted from their own orchard it is very fitting that more are being planted for the residents of the new facility, says Pratchler.
“It’s a continuation of the sister’s orchard. They had a beautiful orchard with berries and various things that are all gone. This is a continuation of history.”
Last year’s tree planting day saw 16 trees added around Water Ridge Park. Possberg is happy to say that all 16 are thriving.
This year, Humboldt Home Hardware is one of 17 locations who are taking part in the annual tree planting that has been going on for the last 24 years.
