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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted March 30, 2004 Text © 2004 Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District. Photos courtesy and © 2002 Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District.

Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District to hold 2004 Tree Sale

HOUGHTON -- This Thursday, April 1, is the deadline for ordering plants through the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District's annual Tree Sale scheduled for May 7 and 8 at the Houghton County Arena, 1500 Birch Street, Hancock. The District (HKCD) is currently accepting orders on the following:

• Conifers for Reforestation
• Trees and Shrubs for Wildlife
• Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry and Strawberry Bushes
• Apple, Cherry, Peach and Plum Trees
• Native Wildflower Seed Packets
• Native Wildflower Plants in 3" Pots - Bergamot, Columbine, Pale Purple Coneflower, Blue Flag Iris and Black-eyed Susan.

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District Tree Sale is an annual fundraising event that benefits soil and water conservation programs in Houghton and Keweenaw counties. (Photo courtesy and © 2002 Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District)

Trees are sold in "bare root" condition and are ready for planting when picked up. Fruit trees such as apple or cherry are about four feet tall with a half-inch-diameter stem, which is considered a perfect size for planting.

The Conservation District encourages the use of Native Plants. Why? Native plants have evolved here over thousands of years. They are well suited to our climate and site, resistant to disease and pests and require little or no special treatment. By using them we provide food and habitat for our native animals. When using native plants it is best to use those from your local area.

The three-inch pots of Native Wildflowers, introduced in last year's sale, are again available this year.

The Columbine possesses a fascinating flower that appears to be two flowers in one; an inner yellow flower that is surrounded by an elegantly spurred red outer flower. Hummingbirds find it irresistible. It blooms in late spring with a height of two to three feet. Indians crushed the black seeds into a powder and mixed it with hot water to treat fever and headache.

The Pale Purple Coneflower has very showy, large purple flowers on three-to-five-foot stalks in early summer. This long lived, tough plant was used by Native Americans of the Northern Great Plains to treat burns, snakebites and stings.

The Bergamot is a fragrant member of the mint family that produces an abundance of picturesque purple flowers. It makes a great tea and is excellent for fresh bouquets.

All proceeds go to support conservation programs in Houghton and Keweenaw counties

Tree Sale Information and Order Forms are available on the District's web page: www.hkconserve.com. Call: 482-0214 or E-mail: houkew@mi.nacdnet.org. Orders will be filled in the order they are received.

Pick up times are from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 7, and from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, May 8, at the Houghton County Arena, Hancock.

During the sale, native shrubs will be on display, and extra stock will be sold on site.

District to hold meeting March 30

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, in the UPPCO Building, 600 East Lakeshore Drive, Houghton.

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District helps local people find answers to their land management questions by linking them with natural resource professionals, products and services. A Board of Directors, consisting of elected community volunteers, makes decisions about conservation programs and services and hires qualified staff to conduct and carry them out.

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (a local unit of government) began more than 50 years ago and is one of eighty-two districts in the state of Michigan. The District is here to serve its constituents. Their monthly meetings are open to the public.

For more information about the Annual Tree Sale and the District, including time and place of meetings, call Sue Haralson, Administrator, Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District
600 East Lakeshore Drive, Suite #2 (UPPCO Building), Houghton, MI 49931

You may also call 482-0214, or check the Houghton/Keweenaw Conservation District Web site.

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District, with the help of the Keweenaw Land Trust, was recently awarded a Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program grant to purchase Dan's Point, a 24-acre parcel with 643 feet of Lake Superior Shoreline in Eagle Harbor Township at the northernmost point of the Keweenaw Peninsula. See the October 2003 article, "Township, conservation groups seek to preserve Lake Superior dunes, shoreline, wildlife habitat."

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