Free Fruit Trees Available for SPLT Members though SoPo Trees
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
March 19, 2023
Contact: Dana Bettez, SPLT Membership & Engagement
dana@sopolandtrust.org
Free Fruit Trees Available for SPLT Members though SoPo Trees
South Portland, Maine - The South Portland Land Trust (SPLT) has partnered with Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and SoPo Trees to offer free fruit trees available for SPLT members during the SPLT’s Earth Day Celebration.
Apple trees will be available after a MOFGA-run Fruit Tree Grafting class at the South Portland Community Center on Sunday, April 23rd–concluding SPLT’s Earth Day Celebration. Classes such as these teach people how to reproduce their favorite apple tree varieties through grafting new small trees for planting. While this in-person class is currently sold out, there is a waitlist available and MOFGA also offers an online version of the class.
SoPo Trees has been challenged finding places around the city to plant their trees and is excited to offer SPLT members free apple trees. SoPo Trees “would love for people to take this opportunity to directly positively impact their local community (and the environment and their yards) by planting these beautiful fruit trees!” said Andrew Fersch of SoPo Trees. SPLT members can request up to eight trees by contacting Dana Bettez, SPLT Membership and Engagement Manager, via email at dana@sopolandtrust.org or by visiting southportlandlandtrust.org/EarthDay2023. Please include the number of trees you’d like to pick up, your name, contact information, and address. One does not need to be signed up for the grafting class to receive the trees.
According to Hillary Barter, Educational Programs Coordinator at MOFGA, all varieties are well-suited to grow in Maine and will be heritage varieties–not your typical Granny Smiths or Red Delicious. Tree varieties will be hardy–they will do well with less care and are naturally more insect and disease-resistant–and will grow a range of different colors and apples for different uses. Applicants will be able to learn more and choose which varieties they’d like to take home. Many of the varieties available grow at the Maine Heritage Orchard at MOFGA. More information about the Maine Heritage Orchard is available at mofga.org/our-community/the-maine-heritage-orchard.
To learn more about SPLT’s Earth Day Celebration and to sign up for the Fruit Tree Grafting waitlist, visit southportlandlandtrust.org/EarthDay2023. Other events throughout the weekend of April 22nd include SPLT’s Annual Earth Day Citywide Clean Up, a Trout Brook Stream Walk, and a Dow’s Woods Nature Walk, along with a weekend-long photo contest with prizes from local businesses and organizations.
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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