Parks Department, Rotary to Hold Annual Tree Giveaway on April 7

It’s time once again for the annual tree give-away at the Smitty’s Ace Hardware parking lot. The Hermiston Rotary Club and the Hermiston Parks and Recreation Department will be giving away trees on Saturday, April 7 beginning at 9 a.m.

If you’re thinking about planting a tree in your yard, Northeast Oregon Now is here to help. Below are short descriptions of the trees in this year’s give-away:

· The Ginnala flame maple produces dramatic red fall color. It can be grown in multi-stemmed form or pruned in winter to have a single trunk. The multi-stemmed form matures to 15 to 18 feet in height and width. It needs partial to full sun and can handle some drought. Click here for more information.

· The red maple shows off its colors not only with brilliant autumn foliage, but also with buds in winter, flowers in spring, and leafstalks in summer. Its show of color, relatively fast growth (to 50 to 60 feet), and tolerance of a wide variety of soils make it a favorite. Click here for more information.

· The river birch reaches 50 to 90 feet in height. It grows naturally along river banks but can be planted almost anywhere. It grows relatively rapidly and is valued for its unique curling bark and spreading limbs. It is tolerant of some drought and has relative resistance to birch borers.  Click here for more information.

· The redbud has purplish-pink flowers and is one of the earliest flowering ornamental trees. Its relatively small rounded form grows to about 30 feet high and 25 feet wide. It does well in full sun to shade and grows better in moist soil. Click here for more information.

· The flowering pear is also an early spring bloomer. It is easy to maintain and drought resistant but cannot tolerate excessive water. Most varieties have an oval or pyramidal shape and reach 35 to 40 feet in height. Yellow, orange and scarlet leaves produce a blazing effect in the fall. Click here for more information.

· The mountain ash grows up to 50 feet tall and has light grayish bark and an oval, open head at maturity. Fall leaves are yellow to reddish, and white spring flowers become orange-red fall berries that attract birds. It requires full sun and rich, well-drained acid soils. Click here for more information.

· The bald cypress is a deciduous conifer with short needles that change color from spring to autumn. It grows in various soils in a pyramidal shape to a height of 50 to 70 feet, with a 25-foot spread. It adapts to wet or dry conditions and can withstand flooding. Click here for more information.

· The Japanese zelkova reaches a height of up to 50 feet. It puts on a show of color in fall, and peeling bark on older trees exposes interesting orange patches. It grows in a wide range of soils, moist to dry, and tolerates wind and drought. Click here for more information.