Planning session coming up on Sept. 21, 2021
Sept. 7, 2021 – Re-Tree Tecumseh wants your input! The public is invited to its next planning session on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7pm, at the AJ Smith Rec Center (810 N. Evans). RTT will be discussing its upcoming tree-planting event (Oct. 30) and the Appleumpkin festival (Oct. 9–10). Beyond that, plans for spring 2022 are now being considered. Do you have an idea? Let’s hear it! Mark your calendar and plan to join us.
CONSUMERS ENERGY AWARDS GRANT TO RE-TREE TECUMSEH
Sept. 7, 2021 – Consumers Energy has awarded a $2500 tree planting grant to Re-Tree Tecumseh. It will be used with additional funds donated in memory of DJ Martin to add 26 new trees to the east end of Chicago Blvd. These trees will be planted on October 30 between Oneida and Division Streets. This grant is part of a yearly program that Consumers Energy gives back to communities in their service area.
In three seasons, our total tree planting will be 177. We are very appreciative of all the support we have had, both financially and physically. We will again need volunteers to help with this planting and information on that will follow.
In three seasons, our total tree planting will be 177. We are very appreciative of all the support we have had, both financially and physically. We will again need volunteers to help with this planting and information on that will follow.
TREE-PLANTING WORK DAY – June 12, 2021
ReTree Tecumseh planted 28 new street trees along the west end of Chicago Blvd. on June 12, 2021. Donations in memory of the late DJ Martin made this planting possible. Many thanks to the Martin family for coming out to join us. And many thanks to our loyal volunteers - we couldn't do it without you!
Tree species include tulip tree, a native with showy yellow flowers; Kentucky coffee tree; planetree; and multiple varieties of gingko and beech.
ReTree Tecumseh has planted 151 new trees on public property since our founding in 2018.
Tree species include tulip tree, a native with showy yellow flowers; Kentucky coffee tree; planetree; and multiple varieties of gingko and beech.
ReTree Tecumseh has planted 151 new trees on public property since our founding in 2018.
Plans for a Living Memorial to D.J. Martin Move Forward
June 3, 2021 – TECUMSEH, MI – Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, and admirers of the late D.J. Martin, Re-Tree Tecumseh (RTT) will soon plant 29 new street trees along West Chicago Boulevard. Each tree will bear a small tag acknowledging the memorial.
“We were fortunate to receive many generous donations in memory of D.J. Martin, who passed away last December,” said Cheri Hinkleman, Re-Tree Tecumseh president. “We originally hoped to plant some trees at the parking lot across from the Farmer’s Market, since that’s right downtown and close to the Martin store. However, that lot is scheduled to be renovated and it may be up to two years before the work is complete. So we’re reserving enough funds to plant eight trees there when it’s time, along with a nice sign denoting the memorial.”
Meanwhile, the balance of the donated funds will go toward planting trees on West Chicago Boulevard between Pearl Street and Adrian Street, on both sides of the road, where older trees have been removed over the years but not replaced.
The Martin family strongly supports Re-Tree’s efforts. “We talked with the family about what to do with the donations, and they said, ‘Plant some trees!’ Chicago Boulevard is the next logical place to do that,” said Hinkleman.
The tree-planting will take place on Saturday, June 12. Hosting a volunteer event on a main state highway will require coordination with the city as well as MDOT to ensure safety. “We’re limiting volunteer opportunities to adults and young people age 16 and over this time,” Hinkleman said. “It is likely that one lane of traffic will be blocked off while we plant in that area.”
Because of the great abundance of maple trees in Tecumseh, RTT has chosen to plant a variety of other species to diversify the urban canopy. Those species include tulip tree, a native with showy yellow flowers; Kentucky coffee tree; planetree; and multiple varieties of gingko and beech.
“We’re so grateful to the community for making these trees possible in D.J.'s honor,” Hinkleman said, “and it’s not too late to donate. We hope to plant another 25 trees on East Chicago Boulevard late this fall, which we expect to cost around $4,000.”
Donations can be made online at RetreeTecumseh.org or checks can be mailed to Lenawee Community Foundation, P.O. Box 142, Tecumseh, MI 49286. Please write Re-Tree Tecumseh on the memo line of your check.
For more information, contact Cheri Hinkleman at chinkleman@comcast.net or 517-423-5906.
“We were fortunate to receive many generous donations in memory of D.J. Martin, who passed away last December,” said Cheri Hinkleman, Re-Tree Tecumseh president. “We originally hoped to plant some trees at the parking lot across from the Farmer’s Market, since that’s right downtown and close to the Martin store. However, that lot is scheduled to be renovated and it may be up to two years before the work is complete. So we’re reserving enough funds to plant eight trees there when it’s time, along with a nice sign denoting the memorial.”
Meanwhile, the balance of the donated funds will go toward planting trees on West Chicago Boulevard between Pearl Street and Adrian Street, on both sides of the road, where older trees have been removed over the years but not replaced.
The Martin family strongly supports Re-Tree’s efforts. “We talked with the family about what to do with the donations, and they said, ‘Plant some trees!’ Chicago Boulevard is the next logical place to do that,” said Hinkleman.
The tree-planting will take place on Saturday, June 12. Hosting a volunteer event on a main state highway will require coordination with the city as well as MDOT to ensure safety. “We’re limiting volunteer opportunities to adults and young people age 16 and over this time,” Hinkleman said. “It is likely that one lane of traffic will be blocked off while we plant in that area.”
Because of the great abundance of maple trees in Tecumseh, RTT has chosen to plant a variety of other species to diversify the urban canopy. Those species include tulip tree, a native with showy yellow flowers; Kentucky coffee tree; planetree; and multiple varieties of gingko and beech.
“We’re so grateful to the community for making these trees possible in D.J.'s honor,” Hinkleman said, “and it’s not too late to donate. We hope to plant another 25 trees on East Chicago Boulevard late this fall, which we expect to cost around $4,000.”
Donations can be made online at RetreeTecumseh.org or checks can be mailed to Lenawee Community Foundation, P.O. Box 142, Tecumseh, MI 49286. Please write Re-Tree Tecumseh on the memo line of your check.
For more information, contact Cheri Hinkleman at chinkleman@comcast.net or 517-423-5906.
TREE SEEDLING GIVEAWAY HONORS ARBOR DAY & EARTH WEEK
April 30, 2021 – TECUMSEH, MI – In observance of Arbor Day, Re-Tree Tecumseh gave away 50 bare-root tree seedlings (12” size).
Species is white dogwood (Cornus florida), a small flowering tree that provides beauty for humans and ecological benefits for pollinators and birds.
White dogwood is native to southeast Michigan. It grows 15' to 30' tall and wide, with white blooms April-May. Easy to grow in full sun to part shade. Instructions for planting and caring for bare-root seedlings were provided.
Species is white dogwood (Cornus florida), a small flowering tree that provides beauty for humans and ecological benefits for pollinators and birds.
White dogwood is native to southeast Michigan. It grows 15' to 30' tall and wide, with white blooms April-May. Easy to grow in full sun to part shade. Instructions for planting and caring for bare-root seedlings were provided.
TREE-PLANTING WORK DAY – OCT. 24, 2020
TREE-PLANTING WORK DAY WITH TLC CREDIT UNION – OCT. 3, 2020
Tlc Credit Union To Sponsor Fall Tree Planting In Tecumseh
September 3, 2020 — Tecumseh, MI — TLC Community Credit Union is partnering with Re-Tree Tecumseh to plant 75 new trees in Tecumseh, at a cost of over $9,000. Re-Tree Tecumseh is a grassroots organization with a mission to plant trees on public property in the city.
Because of budget constraints, the City of Tecumseh has not had a street tree replacement program for many years. Re-Tree was founded by residents in 2018 to remedy that situation. The group’s first major objective has been to re-tree a ¾-mile stretch of North Evans Street, north of Burt Street, where over a hundred crabapple trees had succumbed to old age and disease and had to be removed.
Thus far, Re-Tree volunteers have planted 51 new flowering trees in that area, funded almost entirely by individual donations; another 75 trees are needed to complete the group’s first objective.
“Thanks to TLC’s sponsorship, we can finish the North Evans Street project this autumn. We are beyond thrilled at their generosity,” said Cheri Hinkleman, Re-Tree president. “The North Evans Street entrance into the city used to be so beautiful when the old crabapples were in bloom, and thanks to TLC it will be beautiful again.”
TLC was founded in 1956 as the Tecumseh Products Employees Credit Union. “This project is a way to give back to the community where we got our start,” said Randy Smith, President and CEO for TLC. “We have a strong commitment to supporting initiatives like this one, which improve life in our area.”
Research shows that public trees improve life in numerous ways. The new trees will all be flowering varieties, such as crabapples, serviceberries, magnolias, tree lilacs, redbuds, and dogwoods, which provide beauty for humans as well as food for birds and nectar for pollinators. Trees also create oxygen, filter air pollutants, cool urban heat islands, reduce stormwater runoff, and increase property values.
R & W Tree Nursery (Morenci) will provide the new trees at a reduced cost. All will be fitted with TreeGator slow-release watering bags to ensure survival. Karle Landscaping (Tipton) will dig the holes, and TLC employees will join other community volunteers to plant the trees in two Saturday work sessions, October 3 and October 24, 9am–1pm (details to come).
Re-Tree Tecumseh is a 501(c)3 community project fund under the umbrella of the Lenawee Community Foundation. It receives no financial support from the City of Tecumseh. Learn more at www.retreetecumseh.org.
Because of budget constraints, the City of Tecumseh has not had a street tree replacement program for many years. Re-Tree was founded by residents in 2018 to remedy that situation. The group’s first major objective has been to re-tree a ¾-mile stretch of North Evans Street, north of Burt Street, where over a hundred crabapple trees had succumbed to old age and disease and had to be removed.
Thus far, Re-Tree volunteers have planted 51 new flowering trees in that area, funded almost entirely by individual donations; another 75 trees are needed to complete the group’s first objective.
“Thanks to TLC’s sponsorship, we can finish the North Evans Street project this autumn. We are beyond thrilled at their generosity,” said Cheri Hinkleman, Re-Tree president. “The North Evans Street entrance into the city used to be so beautiful when the old crabapples were in bloom, and thanks to TLC it will be beautiful again.”
TLC was founded in 1956 as the Tecumseh Products Employees Credit Union. “This project is a way to give back to the community where we got our start,” said Randy Smith, President and CEO for TLC. “We have a strong commitment to supporting initiatives like this one, which improve life in our area.”
Research shows that public trees improve life in numerous ways. The new trees will all be flowering varieties, such as crabapples, serviceberries, magnolias, tree lilacs, redbuds, and dogwoods, which provide beauty for humans as well as food for birds and nectar for pollinators. Trees also create oxygen, filter air pollutants, cool urban heat islands, reduce stormwater runoff, and increase property values.
R & W Tree Nursery (Morenci) will provide the new trees at a reduced cost. All will be fitted with TreeGator slow-release watering bags to ensure survival. Karle Landscaping (Tipton) will dig the holes, and TLC employees will join other community volunteers to plant the trees in two Saturday work sessions, October 3 and October 24, 9am–1pm (details to come).
Re-Tree Tecumseh is a 501(c)3 community project fund under the umbrella of the Lenawee Community Foundation. It receives no financial support from the City of Tecumseh. Learn more at www.retreetecumseh.org.
"We are all branches of the same tree"
August 2020 – Re-Tree Tecumseh was honored to be a participant in the creation of the new Street Art Trail at Tecumseh Center for the Arts (400 N. Maumee St.).
Community organizations, youth programs, and local artists were invited to paint murals on 4’ x 8’ sheets of plywood, which were mounted on the pole barn located on the north side of the TCA property. The TCA expects to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony later this fall.
In keeping with the community-inspired theme, RTT’s mural is titled “We Are All Branches of the Same Tree,” and features handprints of the many volunteers who helped with its creation.
Community organizations, youth programs, and local artists were invited to paint murals on 4’ x 8’ sheets of plywood, which were mounted on the pole barn located on the north side of the TCA property. The TCA expects to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony later this fall.
In keeping with the community-inspired theme, RTT’s mural is titled “We Are All Branches of the Same Tree,” and features handprints of the many volunteers who helped with its creation.
RE-TREE TECUMSEH KICKS OFF THE 2020 PLANTING SEASON WITH 20 MORE TREES ON NORTH EVANS STREET
Re-Tree Tecumseh is planting trees again! Our spring efforts were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but on June 27 we planted 20 new crabapples, serviceberries, and magnolias along North Evans Street.
Many thanks to the volunteers who showed up to get their hands dirty, and to the donors who made this event possible. Many thanks also to Jim Karle of Karle Landscaping (Tipton) for digging the holes, and Rich Hoadley of R & W Nursery (Morenci) for providing the trees at a reduced cost.
This planting brings Re-Tree’s total, so far, to 51 new trees planted along a public right-of-way in Tecumseh. As a reminder, we receive no funding from the city. Our projects are funded entirely by donations and grants.
Our continuing goal is to completely re-tree North Evans Street, where dozens of aged and decrepit flowering trees were removed in 2018. We estimate it will take 60 to 75 more new trees to “fill in the blanks” in this area, up to the north end of Red Mill Drive. We hope to be able to plant again in September and October.
Many thanks to the volunteers who showed up to get their hands dirty, and to the donors who made this event possible. Many thanks also to Jim Karle of Karle Landscaping (Tipton) for digging the holes, and Rich Hoadley of R & W Nursery (Morenci) for providing the trees at a reduced cost.
This planting brings Re-Tree’s total, so far, to 51 new trees planted along a public right-of-way in Tecumseh. As a reminder, we receive no funding from the city. Our projects are funded entirely by donations and grants.
Our continuing goal is to completely re-tree North Evans Street, where dozens of aged and decrepit flowering trees were removed in 2018. We estimate it will take 60 to 75 more new trees to “fill in the blanks” in this area, up to the north end of Red Mill Drive. We hope to be able to plant again in September and October.
Re-Tree IS GEARING UP FOR ITS 2020 CAMPAIGN:
"PAY IT FORWARD – PLANT A TREE"
February 24, 2020 – RTT introduced its plans for 2020 at a kickoff event at the Tecumseh Library. Thank you to all who attended – we appreciate your support!
View the Powerpoint presentation from the kickoff here.
View the Powerpoint presentation from the kickoff here.
RE-TREE TECUMSEH does it again!
volunteers PLANT 11 MORE TREES ON NORTH EVANS STREET
July 1, 2019 – Our crew of plucky volunteers braved the heat to install 11 new flowering trees on North Evans Street. This brings our total to 31 trees planted in our first growing season! Many thanks to all our volunteers; to Karle Landscaping for donating their time and equipment to dig the holes; and to employees of several city departments who helped make the job easier.
We will continue to collect funds and apply for grants so that we can continue our work.
We will continue to collect funds and apply for grants so that we can continue our work.
Re-Tree Tecumseh Plants 20 TreeS on North Evans Street
May 18, 2019 – Thanks to a $1,500 grant from ReLeaf Michigan and generous support from the community, Re-Tree Tecumseh has planted 20 flowering trees on North Evans Street. The tree species include crabapple, dogwood, serviceberry, star magnolia, and tree lilac.
This is just the first step in an ongoing effort to plant new trees throughout the city, for many years to come.
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to help! Many thanks especially to ReLeaf Michigan's Bill, Lara, and Brad; Shelly Lim and Dan Swallow from the City of Tecumseh; Karle Landscaping for digging the holes; and the DNR's Urban and Community Forestry Program.
This is just the first step in an ongoing effort to plant new trees throughout the city, for many years to come.
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to help! Many thanks especially to ReLeaf Michigan's Bill, Lara, and Brad; Shelly Lim and Dan Swallow from the City of Tecumseh; Karle Landscaping for digging the holes; and the DNR's Urban and Community Forestry Program.
Re-Tree TEcumseh at Artwalk
May 17, 2019 – Re-Tree Tecumseh unveiled the winning entry in its first annual poster contest during downtown Tecumseh's annual ArtWalk.
Iris Quass, 19, submitted the winning poster, titled "Future in Our Hands." Quass graduated from Tecumseh High School in 2018 and has since been doing freelance art as well as commissions. She will be attending Michigan State University.
Many thanks to Musgrove & Company Coffee for hosting the display of posters. Many thanks also to all the artists who participated.
Iris Quass, 19, submitted the winning poster, titled "Future in Our Hands." Quass graduated from Tecumseh High School in 2018 and has since been doing freelance art as well as commissions. She will be attending Michigan State University.
Many thanks to Musgrove & Company Coffee for hosting the display of posters. Many thanks also to all the artists who participated.
WORKSHOPS Teach HANDS-ON PRUNING TECHNIQUES
April 27, 2019 – It took three work sessions and dozens of volunteer hours, but all the remaining crabapple trees on North Evans Street have been pruned. All this hard work will pay off over the coming growing season as the trees put forth healthy new growth and more abundant blossoms.
Re-Tree Tecumseh's Jack Wikle and Hidden Lake Gardens' Paul Pfeiffer recently led two workshops on dormant-season pruning. Attendees got hands-on practice with 50+ crabapple trees that had not been pruned in many years.
Recently 58 trees were removed on North Evans Street. These 50- to 60-year-old crabapples had reached the end of their natural lifespan and were in declining health; many of them were partly dead. The remaining trees also suffered from dead and broken branches, suckers, and other problems.
Pruning is a method of removing carefully chosen limbs to rejuvenate a tree or shrub. It improves the overall appearance and increases bloom. It is best done in the dormant season (late winter to early spring).
Many thanks to Jack Wikle and Paul Pfeiffer; team leaders Jay Sinclair and Jon Genereaux; and Shelley Lim, Dan Righter, and Dan Swallow from the City of Tecumseh. Many thanks also to every single volunteer. We couldn't have made this project happen without everyone's help!
Re-Tree Tecumseh's Jack Wikle and Hidden Lake Gardens' Paul Pfeiffer recently led two workshops on dormant-season pruning. Attendees got hands-on practice with 50+ crabapple trees that had not been pruned in many years.
Recently 58 trees were removed on North Evans Street. These 50- to 60-year-old crabapples had reached the end of their natural lifespan and were in declining health; many of them were partly dead. The remaining trees also suffered from dead and broken branches, suckers, and other problems.
Pruning is a method of removing carefully chosen limbs to rejuvenate a tree or shrub. It improves the overall appearance and increases bloom. It is best done in the dormant season (late winter to early spring).
Many thanks to Jack Wikle and Paul Pfeiffer; team leaders Jay Sinclair and Jon Genereaux; and Shelley Lim, Dan Righter, and Dan Swallow from the City of Tecumseh. Many thanks also to every single volunteer. We couldn't have made this project happen without everyone's help!
