Thanks to the Rotary Club of Newton, we have an unusual opportunity to acquire and distribute chestnut oak seedlings (an under-represented species in Newton). The 2017-18 president of Rotary International asked Rotary clubs to show their commitment to addressing climate change by planting a tree for every member, and the Newton Rotary is participating by giving the Newton Tree Conservancy 50 seedlings (6-8″ tall, in small pots), which we will receive around April 27-28.
Please let us know by April 24 (newtontreeconservancy@gmail.com, with “Chestnut oak seedling” in subject line) if you’re interested in obtaining one (or more), and your address. If demand exceeds supply, we’ll prioritize NTC members, and then earliest requests.
Chestnut oak (Quercus prinus, now more correctly identified as Quercus montana) is a large-maturing, native species of oak, tolerant of poor, dry, rocky soil. (Leaves resemble chestnut leaves; hence the name.) It’s not a common street tree in Newton, probably because it’s a bit tricky to transplant, but it can be a street tree (though not under utility wires) as well as a yard tree, and has many attractive characteristics. More info on this fact sheet from the University of Florida Horticulture Department. (A great source of tree info – they’ve got one of these for every species).
We’ll be planting some in our Tree Nursery at the Community Garden for future use as street trees, and some will be planted where native species are desired to replace invasives, but about 30 will be available to give out to anyone who would like to plant one. We recommend planting in a permanent location if possible, or planning to transplant when still relatively small (5-6 ft tall) to minimize transplant shock.
This post is reposted from the Newton Tree Conservancy.
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