Washington Tree Committee to hold annual tree giveaway at fairgrounds

WASHINGTON - The Washington Tree Committee will continue its annual tree giveaway in a new location and format this year.

In order to abide by COVID-19 restrictions, participants will need to pick up trees from the Washington County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 16 beginning at 8 a.m. according to a news release from the organization. Participants are asked to enter from the south, the entrance across from Boyd's Bologna, for the drive-through event.

This year 150 trees will be given away with each participant receiving one tree at a time. Anyone who would like a second tree is asked to enter the line again.

Upon arriving at the fairgrounds, people are to remain in their vehicles with their windows up and masks on, the release states. Everyone is encouraged to have a list of their top three trees and will then be instructed to the site where they can be picked up.

A committee member will bring the tree to the vehicle and participants will exit onto Old Highway 92.

The following trees will be available:

' Paw Paw Pennsylvania Gold (Small)

Height: 15-25'; Spread: 15-25'; Shape: Small, Pyramidal; Foliage: Medium green leaves; Fall Foliage: Yellow Exposure: Partial/Full Sun. The Paw Paw Pennsylvania Gold tree grows extra sweet fruit. This tree yields abundant crops of 25-50 pounds when mature, perfect for baking, canning or cooking. Cold-hardy. Best to plant in neutral soil, partial to full sun. Ripens in late September.

' Sweet bay Magnolia (Small)

Height: 10-35'; Spread: 10-35'; Shape: Wide, Columnar; Foliage: Deciduous, Oblong, Dark Green, Cream Flowers; Exposure: Full/Partial Sun; Spring Blossoms with fragrant flowers. Requires a moist environment and may need some winter protection. Excellent near patios, wood/pond edges, and shrub borders.

' Canaan Fir (Medium)

Height: 40-55'; Spread: 20-25'; Shape: Pyramidal Foliage; Evergreen Exposure: Full/ Partial Sun. The Canaan Fir is a stately fir that boasts dense, dark green to bluish fragrant foliage. With excellent needle retention, it is a sought after choice for Christmas tree production. The Canaan Fir is less susceptible to spring frost injury, fairly deer resistant, and drought tolerant once established.

' Serbian Spruce (Medium)

Height: 50-60;' Spread: 20-25'; Shape: Narrow/Pyramidal; Foliage: Evergreen; Exposure: Full/Partial Sun. Tall and slender, with graceful upswept branches. It has glossy dark needles with slender streaks of white and distinctive purple cones. An adaptable, drought tolerant tree.

' American Hornbeam (Medium)

Height: 20-30'; Spread: 20-30'; Shape: Multi-Stemmed; Round Foliage: Deciduous Reddish/Purple, changing to Dark Green; Fall Foliage: Yellow to Orange Red; Exposure: Full/Partial Sun. Full/Partial Shade. American hornbeam is a native, large shrub or small tree with a wide-spreading, flat-topped crown, the stems are slender, dark brown, hairy; bark gray, thin, usually smooth, with smooth, longitudinal fluting.

' Swamp Chestnut Oak (Large)

Height: 60-100'; Spread: 40-60'; Shape: Oval; Round Foliage: Deciduous, Medium Green, Obovate Leaves; Fall Foliage: Red; Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade. Swamp chestnut oak may be difficult to find in commercial nurseries, but it may be worth looking for. This species provides dense shade and good red fall color. It may be useful as a parkway tree or as a shade tree in residential yards.

All are encouraged to access 'Iowa One Call” at 1-800-292-8989 before digging.