Newsletter

GROW WITH US
Remember TreeFolks during this season of giving

It has been a very busy year for us at TreeFolks.  Through an executive transition, extreme drought, devastating wildfires, and the worst heat EVER – we worked hard to meet increased demand for our tree distribution programs and to provide information about caring for trees through these tough times. This year’s extreme weather piqued public interest in central Texas’ urban forests and the support of our community helped us meet the additional need for our services in 2011.  Thank you for supporting our mission by reading our e-newsletter, volunteering your time, and donating your dollars.We are also grateful to those who participated in our recent survey; your responses provided valuable insight into the services and information that are most important to you.  In 2012, we plan to respond to your feedback by offering more workshops and education services – but we can’t do it without your help.  Whether you are a long time donor or are new to the TreeFolks community, we need your help with an end of year contribution in any amount, because every dollar counts.  Community support is and always has been the backbone of the important work we do week after week, park after park, and tree after tree.

DONATE NOW

This season we’re focusing our efforts on planting young, native trees that don’t require supplemental irrigation and often grow faster and stronger than larger trees. Planting saplings is fun and WAY easier than planting bigger trees!  We need your help to plant 1,500 trees in the next week. Our most urgent need for volunteers is this Saturday, December 3rd at Blunn Creek Preserve where we’ll plant 600 saplings in partnership with Austin Urban Forestry’s Ready, Set, Plant! initiative. We planted saplings along beautiful Blunn Creek last winter and hopefully we’ll see many of the same smiling faces and lots of new ones too!  We also have a few spots open to plant trees this Saturday at Colorado River Park Preserve and Tuesday, December 6 at Reimer’s Ranch.

Register to Volunteer

Flameleaf sumac is making quite a display right now. Look for this small, multi-trunked tree showing off its flame colored leaves along roadsides – holding true to its name even after a brutal summer caused many other trees to shed their leaves early. It bears white flowers in summer that are replaced by large clusters of red fruit in fall. Flameleaf sumac is also disease resistant, drought tolerant and withstands the weather extremes in central Texas. This native tree grows wild along old hedgerows, in  limestone highway cuts, and is gaining popularity as a small landscape tree. It’s definitely one of our favorites this time of year!

Photo: Flameleaf sumac – Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Learn more about this tree

We are well on our way to another successful street tree planting season! 1,810 street trees have been delivered to 13 zip codes – that leaves 1,790 to go!  If you believe your home has space for a new tree to shade the street, join the wait list to have your yard evaluated by one of our staffers in mid-December. NeighborWoods is a partnership of TreeFolks, Austin Energy and the City of Austin – that works to reduce the urban heat island effect by annually distributing enough trees to line 10 miles of street!

Learn more about urban heat island effect

We really can’t stress enough that fall/winter is the VERY BEST time to plant trees in central Texas.  The ground is moist, the air is cool and there is plenty of time to grow strong roots before summer. Make an investment in colorful future autumns by planting one of these trees:American smoke tree
Bigtooth maple
Carolina buckthorn
Cedar elm
Escarpment black cherry
Flameleaf sumac
Mexican buckeye
Western soapberry

Photo: American smoke tree – Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Native Tree Growing Guide for Central Texas

Eco Inspiration Coach Training with Discover Green
December 27 – 29 (Austin)
December 28 – 30 (Round Rock)
Details on our calendar.

If you shop online, start with Give As You Get and you can help TreeFolks (or another non-profit) without spending one extra cent.  Watch a how-to video or jump right in.

Keep an eye out for the December 2011 People Issue of Tribeza magazine, in which our very own Executive Director, April Rose, will be one of the “People”!!

Many, many thanks to the Shomos Family Foundation, Sunshine Gardens and the wonderful individuals who made generous contributions of time or treasure this fall!  We love you!