Local Specials
(2009-05-16)
One of the new trees at Argyle Lake State Park
More than 500 of the trees are now in the ground. Most were planted on a picture perfect morning in mid-May. They include black oak, white oak, and northern red oak. There are also bur oak, red bud and Kentucky coffeetrees, along with shagbark hickory trees and persimmons.
The trees were planted in a field near Argyle Lake's Sunset Shelter. The work was done by Robin Hinchee and Barrie McVey. Hinchee is the site superintendent for the state park. McVey is a district forester for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
McVey says she will regularly check on the trees. She says the biggest threat to the trees comes from deer, which like to eat them. "If the deer are hitting them hard, then I'll put human hair and maybe some real strong deodorant soap as a deterrent," says McVey. "In the last 15 years, the herd has increased so much that deer are definitely the biggest deterrent to getting the trees started."
Right now, the trees look like small twigs or sticks in the ground. Most of the trees are just a year or two old. "The first couple years, anywhere from one to two, sometimes three years, the roots are growing, which is what you want," says McVey. "Since the roots are the anchor, you want them to get established first. Then the top will start growing."
McVey says it might be a couple years before increments of top growth start happening. The trees were planted five to eight feet apart from each other. She says that's close enough to force the plants to grow into nice, tall trees.
To make the job easier, Hinchee drove an end loader that pulled a tree planting machine. The machine is an ingenious device. It allowed McVey to be seated close to the ground with a tub of infant trees close at hand. In front of her was a blade that cut a seam into the ground. She stuck a tree into the opening, and packing wheels behind her then closed the incision.
"It's a muddy job, but it's the best kind of being muddy," says McVey. "Planting trees is my favorite part of my job."
Portions of the field were perfect for planting. Other parts of it were too wet and contained clay that was too thick. This forced McVey and Hinchee to make some adjustments regarding where trees were planted.
McVey says eventually a sign will be posted at the field. It will let everyone know that Tri States Public Radio listeners played a big role in reforesting a small portion of this treasured state park.
Story by Rich Egger. Photos and slide show by Curtis Bisbee © Copyright 2012, wium
