Butler library distributes saplings
The timing of the Butler Area Public Library’s Neighborhood Forest program was ideal for 3-year-old Nolan Machak, whose family recently moved into a new house in Meridian.
The toddler and his grandmother were among the 82 families that signed up to receive saplings through the library’s program, which will distribute 152 white birch trees to area families.
“I’ve always been interested in gardening and want to share that with my grandson,” said Nolan’s grandmother, Ardie Machak. “They have a new house, and we need to get to planting there.”
The library began giving out the saplings on Wednesday.
Youth services librarian Tiffany Harkleroad said the Butler library was the first organization in Butler County to get involved with Neighborhood Forest. The partnership forged with the nonprofit based in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., led to the distribution of more than 500 white pine trees in 2021.
More local libraries, scout troops and schools got involved with the distribution this year, but Harkleroad said the response at the Butler Area Public Library still was noteworthy.
“People could sign up to receive one tree for each child, and they could opt to order some extra (trees) to provide to others,” Harkleroad said Thursday.
The saplings were delivered in small soil packets that Harkleroad wrapped in biodegradable bags so they could be handed out ready for planting. Harkleroad said the idea behind the program was to give saplings to children as an educational tool, which they could see grow alongside them.
At times on Thursday, a line of people waited at the library to pick up their saplings.
Allie Reddinger, of Mars, who signed up to get saplings last year, said she was happy they were a different type of tree this year. Her only concern was about the plant’s desirability to deer.
“I love birches,” Reddinger said. “We have a few acres we can plant it on.”
Stephanie Green, of Butler, said the availability of the saplings gives her the chance to lead some lessons in agricultural education for her children, who are homeschooled.
“We heard about this through our co-op, and we do a lot of extra activities with them,” Green said of the Neighborhood Forest program. “We have a big garden, and we try to do a lot with that.”
When the library was taking sign-ups for the program last month, Harkleroad said the initial popularity of the Neighborhood Forest was in part because its during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its popularity persisted this year because gardening and planting are also good spring activities.
“It came at the perfect time for people to have something really positive to do with their children that was free,” Harkleroad said.
