Posted on Oct 23, 2017
Under rainy skies and the guidance of Hennepin County Forester Jen Kullgren, ten Rotarians revamped a busy corridor in Golden Valley with 45 new trees. They were replacing ash trees that formerly lined Winnetka Avenue. The invasive species, Emerald Ash Borer, has forced many cities to look at a more diverse tree environment. Eight different types of trees were planted on Saturday: Boulevard Linden, Discovery Elm, Ginkgo, Honeylocust, Kentucky Coffeetree, New Horizon Elm, Oak-leaf Mountain Ash, Snowbird Hawthorn. With Rotary International President Ian Riseley challenging clubs to plant a tree for each member in Rotary, the Golden Valley Club is going above and beyond that goal. Facing the elements and "digging" in were: Jim Nielsen, Colleen Haubner, Paul Mork, Reed Robinson, Peggy Leppik, Brian Liedtke, John Peterson, Julie Peterson, Chad Boger, Edward Lief.