Operation Releaf offers chance for new trees to replace wind, drought losses

Bob Etzel, director of the Tama County Conservation Board, says "Operation Releaf" sponsored by Alliant Energy coming up this fall is a great opportunity to continue the recovery from the derecho windstorm of July 2011 and the drought plaguing the area this year.

"The storms of July 11, 2011, took quite a toll on shade trees in our area. We lost thousands of trees in Tama County alone," Etzel wrote in an email. "Then the drought of 2012 slipped in. This has not been a good two years for our trees."

The Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau and the Tama County Conservation Board are partners with Alliant in the effort.

Under the program Alliant Energy customers will have the chance to buy up to two trees at $25 each. These prices are less than one-half of that charged at a nursery according to Alliant.

Alliant customers do not have to live in Tama County to qualify to purchase the trees.

There will be a total of 300 trees made available for purchase.

Here's the trees to be offered:

shade trees- American Linden, Hackberry, Kentucky Coffeetree, Northern Red Oak, Swamp White Oak and Sweetgum

flowering ornamentals- Serviceberry, Pagoda Dogwood

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RELEAF Application

conifers- Eastern White Pine, Norway Spruce

The selections will be up to 8 feet tall depending upon the type selected.

The order form for the trees accompanies this article on The Chronicle website-tamatoledonews.com or may be obtained from the Tama County?Conservation Board - See information at right.

Tree pick up will be at Otter Creek Lake, five miles northeast of Toledo on Thursday, Oct. 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m.