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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula October 14, 2005 Text and Photos © 2005 Michele Anderson for Keweenaw Now

Swedetown tree planting ... more photos

In May 2005, volunteers of all ages worked together planting trees at Swedetown Trails. Pat T-11 (Pat Toczydlowski) and Pat Murley explained the process step-by-step.

Pat Murley, left, and Pat T-11 work together during May 2005 tree planting at Swedetown. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

Planters first prepare the ground with a planting bar to remove competition from the tree. 

"You make one wedge in the dirt with the tree bar," Murley said. "Then slide the tree in. Pull up so the roots are straight. You slide the tree in, trimming down the roots. Then make a second hole with the tree bar a few inches parallel to the first hole. Then tamp it down with your foot. Then give it a tug to make sure it's secure ... then pray for rain."

Pat Murley tamps the earth around the freshly planted little tree. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

Craig Hughes, Copper Island Ski Club Board member, said the group always plants at least 1,000 trees. He pointed out trees on top of the hill that Rick Oikarainen had planted years ago.

"Those are great windbreakers right now, and the ones we planted ten years ago are starting to become good windbreakers now," Hughes said.

Rachel T-11, right, prepares the ground for planting as Madeleine Shoup supervises. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

Madeleine Shoup of Houghton, said she has been doing this for a couple of years, while Rachel T-11 admitted to four or five years of experience. Both are members of the Ski Tigers. 

"We trade jobs, though," Madeleine said, while supervising Rachel's digging.

David Watkins of Houghton said it was his first time planting trees. 

"It's a lot of fun," Watkins said. "I'm sure when we come back it'll be nice to see the trees grow over time."

David Watkins, right, and Chris Schmidt, both avid skiers, prepare the ground for planting during the spring planting at Swedetown. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

Jim Meese and his daughter Anna worked as a team during the planting.

Ski Tiger Anna Meese holds the tree straight as her dad, Jim Meese, who works as a groomer for the Maasto Hihto trails in Hancock and the Michigan Tech trails in Houghton, uses the tree bar to make the hole. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

One of the most experienced of the tree planters is Dave Heikkila of Calumet.

Experienced tree planters Dave Heikkila, left, and Mark Jindrich, both of Calumet, choose a spot to plant some pine or spruce. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

"I've been a ski club member since 1976," Heikkila said.

Ski Club members Cynthia McDonald of Lake Linden and Brian Hesse of Laurium are among the 30 volunteers at the May tree planting. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

Rick Oikarinen, owner of Cross Country Sports and former organizer of the Great Bear Chase race, was among the first to plant trees at Swedetown Trails about 20 years ago.

"It usually takes a couple of years for the tree to get established because it's competing with surrounding vegetation," Oikarinen said.

Ed Kraai, new president of the Copper Island Ski Club and author of page 1 of this article, plants a tree with the help of Susan Serafini during the May tree planting. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

The trees planted at Swedetown last spring were purchased from the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District Tree Sale, an annual event. Read more about it.

Jon Neufeld, former president of the Copper Island Ski Club, unloads buckets of trees from the delivery truck. The trees were purchased from the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District Tree Sale. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of articles on volunteer trail building and improvement in the local area. See also Copper Harbor and National Trails Day, by Sam Raymond, and B.R.I.D.G.E. Alternative High School students build Hancock trail, by Michele Anderson.

Return to page one of this article.

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