Delta Chi continues annual tree planting

Brookings Boulevard Project in its fourth year

Posted

BROOKINGS – A Chinese proverb says: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Acting on those words of wisdom, members of South Dakota State University’s Delta Chi fraternity, with the support of the Brookings Rotary Club, began planting trees on boulevards in Brookings and surrounding communities four years ago. This year they’re upping the count from 60 trees to 80.

In January the fraternity decided to continue its philanthropic funding and efforts toward a more community-based model. And now members are getting the word out about the plantings, which will take place in late April, early May.

Sophomore Matthew Bruxvoort is project manager for this year’s effort. He’ll be assisted by about 15 to 20 fraternity brothers. This year 60 of the trees will be planted in Brookings by the Forestry section of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. The fraternity brothers will plant the remaining 20 trees in the communities of Volga, Aurora and White.

Bruxvoort explained, “We go out to the individual community members and tell them about the project, how long we’ve been doing it and the cost: only $15 to the community members; and the city’s going to have them professionally planted this year.

“In the past, we’ve gone out and planted them all around in communities. However, this year the city has taken on that burden.” Delta Chi will plant the trees in the surrounding communities.

“We do this for a few reasons,” Bruxvoort said. “One, because we think that trees are incredibly great for the environment. Two, because back in the days, biodiversity was not a very big concern when people were planting trees. So trees were planted in a very homogenous sense of the word.

“And if beetles or bugs come through, they can absolutely decimate an entire tree population.” A third reason is to increase property values.

Six varieties of trees will be included in this year’s plantings: boulevard lindens, burr oak, and “a lot of maples. Fifty of the 80 are different varieties of maple.” The trees will range from 8- to 10-feet tall and be 1 1/2 inches thick at the time they are planted. These trees will growt o provide shade and eye appeal. Additionally, they’ll have few planting issues and will help diversify the tree populations in the communities where they are planted.

Booklets telling how to care for the newly planted trees will be given with each purchase.

The inventory of trees to be planted includes: 20 Royal Red maples; 10 Freeman maples; 10 Radiance maples; 10 Autumn Flame maples; 10 Boulevard lindens; and 20 Bur oaks.

The cost per tree is $15. These trees would typically cost about $100 to $125 each. The reduced cost to the purchasers is made possible by the trees being bought at a subsidized rate through the city of Brookings. The Delta Chi philanthropy fund and private donations are also factored in.

While the time to plant is now, the time to claim a tree is also now. The trees will be available first-come, first-served. When they’re gone, they’re gone. To reserve your tree, log on to brookingsboulevard@gmail.com or call Matthew Bruxvoort at 712-463-2548.

Contact John Kubal at jkubal@brookingsregister.com.