IDL to hold Arbor Day seedling giveaway

CATALDO — Natives of the Silver Valley can probably remember a period of time not so long ago when not a single tree could be spotted on many of the hillsides. Caused mainly through deforestation and pollution from the mining industry, it took many years (and some underground growing) for the area’s trees to flourish once again.

In an effort to keep the Valley green and commemorate Arbor Day on Friday, the Idaho Department of Lands Cataldo Office will hold its annual tree seedling giveaway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The local IDL crew has more than prepared for the event by stashing away boxes and boxes of Western White Pine (the Idaho State Tree) and Western Larch seedlings.

The seedlings come from Oregon, but IDL Private Forestry Specialist Rodney Cochrane explains that IDL plays a large role in its development.

“We collect most of our own seed from endowment lands.”

The seeds are then sent off to be sorted and planted to grow for a cycle. Once they become seedlings, they are returned to IDL to be planted in the wilderness.

IDL Cataldo has been holding this event consistently since 2014 and Cochrane said that it is incredibly important, especially here in the Silver Valley where we have had a unique way of growing trees in the past.

“The old timers around here, they know, but a lot of the kids these days and even folks our age don’t realize that all the trees on the hill here were grown in Bunker Hill. They were grown underground and put on the hill to reforest, which is pretty unique.”

With the mines closed and logging operations managed, the biggest threat now to the forests and getting seedlings to replenish is wildfires. In fact, Cochrane points out that IDL Cataldo is incredibly fortunate to have the seedlings that they have.

“Last couple years with all the fires we’ve had, seedlings have been tough to come by,” he said. “They’re (normally) spoken for by other state agencies, federal agencies and private lumber companies.”

The giveaway will be open to the public and seedlings will be dispersed on a first come, first serve basis until gone. To go along with the seedlings, snacks and drinks will be provided.

“We hope that you will plan to stop in, grab some seedlings and meet some of your local forestry and fire personnel,” Cochrane said.

The IDL Cataldo Office is located at 80 Hilltop Overpass Road in Kingston and can be reach at 208-682-4611.