Volunteers dig in with tree-planting project

Javier Orduz and his sons, Andre and Mathias, planted a tree Nov. 9 along the west side of South 10th Street near Hibberd school.

They were among about 25 volunteers helping with the effort to improve the tree canopy. After watching Aren Flint and Kelley Scholfield of Davey Resource Group demonstrate the process, the Orduzes removed the grass, dug the hole, placed the tree, replaced and tamped dirt, and added mulch.

Along both sides of the street, other volunteers followed the same process.

“I think it’s very important for the community, and for my family, with this kind of activity that make us content with nature and improve our relationships as father and sons,” Javier Orduz said about volunteering. “It’s very important for the conservation of the planet and to provide oxygen for us on the planet. I love this kind of activity.”

The tree the Orduzes planted was among 24 planted by volunteers through a partnership with the Environmental Resilience Institute at Indiana University, said Thomas Hill, the city’s GIS coordinator. Davey Resource Group will plant 76 more trees in the area roughly bordered by G, J, Seventh and 12th streets. 

Richmond was chosen for the 2024 Urban Green Infrastructure cohort that provided a fellow this summer to assess the city’s tree canopy. Priority planting sites were selected for the 100 trees provided by the $150,000 grant that will also be maintained three years by the contractor, including proper watering and pruning.

“I’m happy with the turnout,” said Laura Karnes, the landscape and naturalist leader for the Richmond Parks and Recreation Department. She noted the volunteers included a mixture of new faces and people associated with past Tree Tender volunteer efforts. Pizza, water and cookies were provided for the workers, who gathered on the north side of Hibberd.

Karnes said the planting events are a great way to bring people together to meet and interact. The city will have another volunteer planting effort 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 21 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22 focused on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh streets and Fort Wayne Avenue downtown and in the Depot District. 

That 50-tree effort is funded by a $159,789 Community and Urban Forestry grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Karnes said Richmond’s work with IU helped it score highest among applicants for the DNR grant.

“The main goal of the grant and the project is to improve the tree canopy and spread the benefits of trees equitably throughout the city,” Karnes said. “We’re making data-driven decisions about where we should be planting trees. We know where and have a path for planting in the future.”