Rooted in Laramie tree sales set to begin

The local nonprofit has announced that its annual tree sale will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 22, with trees costing $50, a discounted rate. The highly-anticipated online sale will feature a wide variety of Laramie-tested species as well as some cultivars new to the region.

“I get so excited for our annual tree sale and always amazed at how quickly it sells out,” Dakota Berg, newly-voted Rooted in Laramie board chair, said in the release. “It's heartening to witness the growth of this event and the community's involvement. This will be our sixth year of plantings and it’s so great to drive around town and see the impact we have made.”

This year’s sale features 11 varieties that should suit most home landscapes. The largest shade tree choice is the Triumph Elm. Other shade tree options that are more on the medium side are the Skyline Honeylocust, Hot Wings Tatarian Maple and Swedish Aspen. If looking for spring flowers, the Spring Snow and Thunderchild crabapples are great selections, as well as the Toba Hawthorn. For a tree ornamental in show, go for the Sucker Punch Chokecherry and ‘Autumn Brillance’ Serviceberry. If looking to grow some fruit for consumption or for wildlife, try the Mount Royal Plum or Haralred Apple.

“My preferences lean towards crabapples and flowering trees, especially for their springtime beauty,” Berg said. “Honeylocusts also hold a special place in my heart due to their distinctive leaf structures and intriguing seed pods, as well as showcasing their resilience in Laramie.”

This year’s Shawver Tree, sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Laramie, is the Skyline Honeylocust.

The 65 trees featured in this year’s sale will be planted by teams of volunteers on June 8. Rooted in Laramie also is seeking volunteers who would like to join in on the fun and gain hands-on tree-planting experience.

“Tree Planting Day is always a blast and it’s great to see how it’s grown in the last few years,” Berg said. “All community members are invited to this event and encouraged to come help us plant trees.”

Prior tree-planting experience is not necessary as each crew will be led by someone with plenty of planting knowledge. They will show volunteers how wide and deep to dig holes, how to deal with issues such as root-binding and how to properly stake and mulch the tree.

“I believe that every little thing you do matters, even the little gestures of goodwill and kindness we show our planet matters so much,” Berg added. “It feels good to drive by trees we’ve planted in years prior. And we can provide this service at a small cost to make tree planting inclusive to community members that may have not been able to afford this service at full cost from a landscaping business. All of this wouldn’t happen without the generous help from our volunteers on planting day.”

Rooted in Laramie is supported by grants from local and statewide organizations, including the Laramie Rivers Conservation District, city of Laramie, Rotary Clubs of Laramie’s Shawver Tree Fund and Wyoming State Forestry Division.

In the coming weeks, Rooted in Laramie will match applicants with the right trees for their planting sites. In-kind and volunteer support also is provided by Laramie Woman’s Club, Tough Guys Landscaping & Lighting, King’s Snow & Landscape and Wyoming Trees. Last year more than 50 volunteers from throughout the community pitched in to help get the trees in the ground.

The local volunteer-based organization was founded in 2019, and this year will mark more than 400 total trees planted across the city. The nonprofit’s mission is to develop a long-term tree planting program that supports a diverse and resilient community forest and engages citizens through volunteerism and education about proper planting and care of trees.

To purchase a tree, visit Rooted in Laramie’s website at rootedinlaramie.org.

Rooted in Laramie also welcomes volunteers to help as board members or to serve on committees. A volunteer application is available on the website or at bit.ly/RIL-VolunteerApp. To offer financial support, a donation link is on the website, as well.

For more information, visit the website, email RootedInLaramie@gmail.com, call 314-550-6387 or visit on Facebook or Instagram @RootedInLaramie.