Type of Tree: Red Maple
Planting Date: 6/3/10
Height: 15 ft
Caliper: 1.5″
Location: Abandoned lot (and soon to be community rain garden) at the Eastern Entrance to Town, Intersection of Main St. and Robinson, Knoxville, IA
GPS Coordinates: Latitude 41°19’5.93″N, Longitude 93° 4’55.16″W (click to view on GoogleMaps)
Planted of Behalf of: Names coming soon.
Planting Details:
We planted a beautiful red maple on June 3rd, 2010 at an abandoned lot positioned at the easternmost entrance to the town of Knoxville. At the location, there was an old “Maid-Rite” building that had been abandoned for years, and a vacant lot that lay fallow.
About 45 townspeople were there to participate, community members provided the tree, and we were treated to a wonderful variety of speakers who made the event just perfect. Anthropologist Dr. Robert Leonard (aka “Dr. Bob”) gave some wonderful insight into the history of the area, and the kids were encouraged to touch the tree and imagine it growing big and strong. Afterward, the whole group went back to Peace Tree Brewing Company and were treated to music from a great Des Moines-area band called Thankful Dirt and our fill of great locally made pizza and delicious craft beers. Special Thanks to Megan and Scott Ziller for their incredible hospitality and organizing support!
UPDATE FROM KNOXVILLE: A few months after we left Iowa, we learned that the spot where we planted (once an abandoned lot) has been approved to become a community rain garden!
Click here for an article announcing the demolition of the old Maid-Rite building.
Click here to see photos of the rain garden being constructed. (Notice they included a photo of our tree!)
Have a look at our Iowa photo slideshow!
