Clinton Townships hosts Spring Tree, Shrub, and Plant Sale

In partnership with Green Macomb and Blue Water Conservation District

CLINTON TOWNSHIP – Macomb County’s Green Macomb initiative is holding its Spring Tree, Shrub, and Plant Sale in Clinton Township this year. The sales event is a collaboration between the Township, Green Macomb, and the Blue Water Conservation District. 

“Green Macomb has been a great partner in helping our Conservation Committee get more trees planted in our parks and public spaces,” said Paul Gieleghem, Township Treasurer and a committee member. “The annual sale is a convenient way to get affordable trees to residents for planting at their home.”  

Preordering is available through April 6, 2023, and pick up at the Clinton Township Civic Center, 40700 Romeo Plank Drive, is Friday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to noon. At that time, some additional stock will be available while supplies last.

Amanda Oparka, Senior Planner, Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development, also works for the County’s Green Macomb initiative.

“Green Macomb is the County’s initiative to improve our urban tree canopy. Right now, we’re at a 26 percent average tree canopy across the County, and the U.S.  Forest Service recommends a 40 percent tree canopy, and we’re trying to reach that goal,” said Oparka. 

Gieleghem added, “Studies show that planting trees not only increase our property values, they also improve our health by filtering air pollution, reducing our energy costs, and making our neighborhoods safer.”

To order, go to the Blue Water Conservation District website at bluewatercd.org. Prices range from $7 to $25. Stock is sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

The spring sale allows the public to purchase young trees, fruit trees, flowering shrubs, wildflower seeds, and other fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices. Trees for sale include Paper Birch, Black Cherry, Norway Spruce, Red Osier Dogwood, and Douglas Fir. Fruits for sale include strawberry, raspberry, asparagus, horseradish, and rhubarb.

Joe Kautz, District Administrator for the Blue Water Conservation District, said there were about 10,000 items sold last year among 150 people. 

“Some orders were just one to two items, others very large,” said Kautz. “Top sellers are Norway Spruce followed by White Pine, and another top seller is Butterfly Bush, which not only attracts bees and butterflies with its flowers, but it grows quickly and provides almost instant landscaping for someone with a new home,” he said.

MSU Extension and Blue Water Conservation District representatives will be on hand to answer questions and provide planting guidance and tree care advice. Also, to learn more about trees, shrubs, and plants, visit green.macombgov.org/Green-PlantSale.

To see Treasurer Gieleghem’s video interview with Amanda Oparka, Senior Planner, Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development, and Joe Kautz, District Administrator, Blue Water Conservation District, visit Clinton Township Television at https://youtu.be/Ld3tgUtZKzc.