This is a sign up form to join the watering crew for the trees at Osterman Beach Dunes Natural Area.
Once you sign up (or before the spring for the 1st year), you'll get information on how to sign up for specific weeks and how to access water/cart/buckets.
The schedule, how many times a month or year you are needed, is dependent on how many people sign up to help. We'll communicate further on this. The current idea is that you'll do 1 group of 5 trees, once a week or once a month, depending on how many people sign up.
The agreement with Chicago Region Trees Initiative is that during the growing season approximately 10-15 gallons of water or 1" of water should be applied once weekly to the root ball of newly planted trees unless adequate soil moisture is present. Renee and the rest of the stewardship group at Osterman have committed to maintaining the trees for the following 3 years after planting. This includes weekly watering during the growing season and yearly mulching.
The growing season spans from May through October, so for 6 months trees need to be watered every week, unless the soil is noticeably saturated from rain. This step is a significant commitment and vital for the trees’ survival.
Supplies provided and housed at JoBox: Hose, water key, buckets, buckets, gloves. You will be supplied with lock box and chain code for accessing materials.
Work in progress/TBD: getting a water key to access the beach house spigots.
Full maintenance document with guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p0TG77nQyMXwPX0T677crtXfvJbxvBO8/view?usp=drive_link
Tree list: redbud, speckled alder (Alnus incana subsp. rugosa), river birch (betula nigra), sassafras, sand cherry (Prunus pumila), black oak (quercus velutina).
Contact: ostermanbeachnaturalarea@gmail.com with questions.
