More butternut trees, please

May 19, 2011

Photo: Paul and Carolyn Fodden and Terry Morey at the SFNEC's annual tree sale in Verona

Members of the South Frontenac Natural Environment Committee (SFNEC) were selling trees hand-over-fist at their annual tree sale, which they held at four separate locations in South Frontenac on May 7. Paul Fodden, secretary of the SFNEC, said the committee purchased a total of 5200 trees for sale, all 2 to 3-year-old trees of bare root stock at $2 a pop. Varieties included pussy willow, silver maple, white ash, shagbark hickory, red oak, butternut, balsam fir, eastern red cedar, white birch, black locust, black cherry and tulip trees. Hot varieties this year proved to be butternut and balsam fir, both of which were sold out when I arrived.

Carolyn Fodden felt that environmental factors helped make that so. “As far as the butternut trees go, people are really becoming aware of environmental issues and the fact the butternut is an endangered species, which it seems this year, is making it a very popular choice.” As for balsam firs - they grow into perfectly shaped Christmas trees, which tend to make them a popular choice.

Upcoming for the SFNEC will be a talk on Bats at Trinity United Church on Sat. May 28.

The committee is always looking for new members to come aboard. For more information visit www.sfnec.org or call Paul Fodden at 613-374-1253.