NCC FREE TREE DAY, APRIL 25, 2009

Nora-Northside Community Council, Inc. (NCC) again celebrates Arbor Day by purchasing and giving four hundred native to Indiana American cranberry trees to the public. The free trees will be available Saturday (April 25) from 9 a.m. until noon, but only as long as the supply lasts. The distribution site is at 9245 North Meridian St.This is the twentieth year for NCC's tree event; and at the completion of this year's event, a total of almost 9500 free trees will have been given to the public through those years. Those who pay 2009 NCC membership dues on tree day will receive an extra gift.The American cranberry tree is actually a very large shrub which matures at 8 to 12 feet and provides three seasons of interest. White flower clusters bloom in late spring. Dark green leaves turn wine-red in fall, and the plant's clusters of red berries, which ripen in September, provide edible fruit for birds and wildlife. (Early Americans stewed the berries with sugar into a cranberry -sauce as a source of Vitamin C.) The plant is useful as a hedge, back-ground or border plant and will grow in partial shade.Each plant will have been hand-wrapped by NCC Board members in wet newsprint and placed in a plastic bag to help it survive until planted. (Roots must be kept damp until planting.) Instructions for planting will be included with the tree.