Spruce Up Austin is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a big project.

The group will create a tree walk featuring 25 types of trees along East Side Lake, with plantings set to begin next month.

“It’s our gift to Austin,” said Gretchen Ramlo, Spruce Up Austin president.

For Ramlo, the project is an opportunity to give back to the community, something she and others enjoy doing.

“I’ve always loved trees and nature,” she said.

The group wasn’t sure what kind of project to put together to celebrate 25 years until they realized they could plant different kinds of trees in the area.

“Twenty-five trees on its own isn’t very special,” said Mike Ruzek, Spruce Up Austin committee member. “But 25 different types of trees? That’s special.”

That’s why the group is working with Gary Johnson, an arborist

 

with the University of Minnesota, to decide what kind of trees to put along East Side Lake.

Johnson has come up with a list of 27 types of trees that would grow in the area after visiting Austin a few times. Spruce Up members will work with Johnson once more to figure out where those 25 trees should be planted, as some may not work well in wet ground near the lake.

Spruce Up will hold a dedication ceremony next month near East Side Lake’s gazebo, where the group hopes to put up a kiosk explaining Spruce Up’s work and why tree planting is so important to Austin. Spruce Up will also put up signs near each tree that could have scannable QR codes, which could give more information on each tree.

As always, Ramlo said the group will pay for the project through its own money, raised from private donations and grants.