South Portland Land Trust to Give Away 2,000 Cedar Seedlings
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
May 7, 2021
Contact: Michelle Smith
Program Coordinator
michelle@sopolandtrust.org
207-838-0511
South Portland Land Trust to Give Away 2,000 Cedar Seedlings
South Portland, Maine - For the second year running, South Portland Land Trust (SPLT) will give away Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) seedlings to the community. The giveaway will take place Saturday, May 15, from 10 am to noon at Mill Creek Park (opposite Hannaford) in South Portland. SPLT members can reserve bundled seedlings in advance by visiting the Events page at southportlandlandtrust.org. Cedar seedlings have been donated by CedarWorks in Rockport, Maine.
SPLT is nearly doubling the giveaway this year and will have 2,000 seedlings available. 300 of the donated seedlings will be used to plant as a buffer at the land trust’s Clark’s Pond Trail. The seedlings are ready for planting and will be available in bundles of 3, 5, and 10. The public is encouraged to come early, as 1,000 seedlings were given away in under an hour last year. Donations to SPLT are welcome and appreciated.
“We all know that trees play a vital role in our ecosystem - they sequester carbon, prevent erosion, and keep our streets cool in the summer,” noted Richard Rottkov, SPLT Board President. “We are thankful to Cedarworks for their generous donation and we are happy to offer such a significant number of seedlings to the community this year.” Information sheets on how to care for cedar seedlings will be available.
Commonly known as American arborvitae, Eastern white cedar, or Northern white cedar, this common tree is native to eastern United States and Canada. Cedars are often used for hedging or as a windbreak, but can also be planted as a stand-alone landscape focal point. Cedars grow best in areas that receive at least six hours of direct sun each day. A fully grown cedar will span 10-15 feet and can attain a height of 40-60 feet. As a native tree, cedars provide food and shelter for many bird species.
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About South Portland Land Trust
South Portland Land Trust is a nonprofit organization committed to linking neighborhoods and improving quality of life in South Portland through expanding the city’s trail network, conserving open space, and educating the public on issues related to trails and open space. It holds eighteen properties and easements within the City of South Portland to preserve natural habitats, trail access, and open space for public enjoyment.
Please visit www.southportlandlandtrust.org for more information
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter IDs: @sopolandtrust