City Launches Bicentennial Tree Sale and Sponsorship Program

Bloomington, Ind.-The City of Bloomington is celebrating its Bicentennial with a sale of trees for planting on private property.

The Bicentennial Community Tree Sale kicks off March 1. The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department plans to sell 125 tulip trees (Indiana's state tree), five to six feet tall, in three-gallon pots, to Bloomington residents to plant on their own properties.

The tulip trees, sourced from a local nursery, come with a five-gallon bucket for watering, mulch, tree planting instructions, and a Bicentennial tree medallion. Cost for each tree is $30. Trees are available while supplies last, and must be ordered either in person at the Bloomington Parks and Recreation office at 401 N. Morton St. inside City Hall, or online at bloomington.in.gov/treecare, by April 23.

Purchased trees must be picked up at the City of Bloomington Operations Center, 345 S. Adams St., between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 28.

Recognizing that not every tree-loving Bloomington resident has the time or space to plant a tree that, when mature, may reach 150 feet in height, urban forester Lee Huss said the Bicentennial Community Tree Sale offers ample opportunity to contribute, in various amounts, to planting more trees on public land in Bloomington's urban forest.

Bicentennial Tulip Tree for Parks and Schools

• $100
• Contribute to help plant a tree at a MCCSC school or in a city park
• 12'-15' Bicentennial tulip tree, Indiana's state tree, planted by Bloomington Parks and Recreation
• Sponsor receives a certificate of recognition
• School receives a Bicentennial tulip tree medallion

Bicentennial Tree for City Streets and Switchyard Park

• $500
• 12'-20' tree to be planted on a city street, or in the city's new Switchyard Park
• Bloomington Parks and Recreation will choose the best species of tree for the site
• Trees will be planted in Switchyard Park, and where most needed along city streets
• Sponsor receives a certificate of recognition

Bicentennial Memorial or Honorary Tree in a City Park

• $1,600
• 12'-20' tree to be planted in sponsor's choice of a city park; or, let the Parks and Recreation Department choose a park that needs trees
• Sponsor may request species of tree to be planted
• Includes engraved 16" x 16" limestone plaque, with Bicentennial logo, mounted at base of the sponsored tree
• Sponsor receives certificate of recognition

Sponsor a Bicentennial Tree Around the Iconic Courthouse Square

• $2,000
• Join the Bloomington Parks Foundation's Downtown Square Tree Campaign to plant a new tree on the streets surrounding the courthouse, or sponsor a tree that is already there
• Includes 12" x 6" bronze plaque, with Bicentennial logo, mounted at the base of the sponsored tree.
• Limited number of trees and tree planting spaces available

"Bloomington has a long history of revering and caring for its urban trees, and we are delighted to be able to offer so many different opportunities for people in our community to be a part of that," said Mayor John Hamilton. "With care, the trees we will plant in recognition of our Bicentennial will be around for our sestercentennial, or 250th anniversary, and beyond. Trees are the gifts we give to future generations."

Bicentennial trees may be both purchased and sponsored online, or in person at the Bloomington Parks and Recreation office at 401 N. Morton St. in Bloomington. For more information about the Bicentennial tree sale and sponsorship program, visit bloomington.in.gov/treecare or contact Julie Ramey, Community Relations Manager, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, at 812.349.3719 or rameyj@bloomington.in.gov.

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