Our Projects

If you do not see any open upcoming events - simply send a quick email to trees@livinglandsandwaters.org  and say “Hey!  Put me on your MillionTrees Project Volunteer list!” to be notified about events and links to register.  We also post our calls for volunteers on our Facebook page, so be sure to “Like” LL&W…and tell your friends, too!

Click here to snag your free trees on February 12, 2024!

We care about all of our little trees and want them to grow big and strong….and hope you do too!  Help ensure their survival by watching our "How To Plant a Tree" video!

Bur Oak (Quercus Macrocarpa)

• Mature Height: 60-80 feet tall, spread of 40-60 feet
• Growth Rate: slow/moderate, adding 12 to 24 inches in height per year
• Sun Preference: full sun exposure. requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to grow optimally

Early Care:

• Regular watering (around 3 times a week) helps establish a strong root system; its long taproot will help it become drought-resistant once mature
• Water in a 1-2 foot radius around the base of the tree, saturating the soil enough to reach the developing roots.  If leaves become yellow, you are overwatering it
• Mulch around the base of the tree helps with water retention and weed suppression
• Relatively low maintenance and drought resistant once established (typically 2-3 years), does not require regular watering in the winter as it will be dormant
• No need to prune unless branches are damaged or dead. It is best done in in late fall through early spring to minimize stress on the tree and reduce the chance of fungus growth

Swamp White Oak (Quercus Bicolor)

• Mature Height: 60-80 feet tall, spread of 50-60 feet
• Growth Rate: moderate/fast, adding 12 to 24+ inches in height per year
• Sun Preference: full sun, needs 4-6 hours of sun, the more sun it receives the faster it will grow but also withstand partial sun

Early Care:

• Grows well in moist areas and near bodies of water
• The root system is shallow to medium depth and requires regular watering when it is young
• Does not require mulch in warmer months, and doing so may lead to root rot.  Although adding some mulch in the winter may help protect the developing root system
• Allow fallen leaves should remain on the ground in the fall, as they will be a natural fertilizer as it grows
• May benefit from a winter wrap in its first year and does not need to be watered in winter as it will become dormant
• Prune the tree in the late winter, removing dead or damaged branches

Red Oak (Quercus Rubra)

• Mature Height: grows to 60-75 feet tall in open areas, can grow 90-150 feet in forests
• Growth Rate: fast-growing, adding around 2 feet every year
• Sun Preference: full sun, prefers 4-6 hours of sunlight but can tolerate partial sun and partial shade

Early Care:

• Water once or twice a week to help establish roots; water more if conditions are hot
• Water enough so moisture reaches a depth of 2 feet in the soil will be relatively drought tolerant once mature
• Root system should be kept moist, not soggy
• 2-3 inches of mulch around the root area of the tree could help with moisture retention; do not all the way up to the trunk of the tree
• When the tree is 3 years and younger, only prune dead and damaged branches in winter; use clean pruners to ensure you don’t spread disease
• May benefit from a winter wrap in its first year and does not need to be watered in winter as it will become dormant

Pecan (Carya Illinoinensis)

• Mature Height: grows to 70-100 feet tall, and spread is 40-75 feet
• Growth Rate: moderate/fast growing, adding 12-36 inches a year
• Sun Preference: full sun, needs 6-8 hours of sunlight per day

Early Care:

• Requires a lot of water to produce a good harvest.  Start by watering 2-3 times a week, water more frequently if conditions are hotter.  Aim to give it 10-15 gallons of water per week in its first 2-3 years of life
• Applying mulch around the base of the tree may help prevent water evaporation and weed competition
• Soil should be kept moist but not wet, native to the well-drained Mississippi floodplain
• Pruning branches that are growing very long or very close together can help with the shape and strength of the tree, do so in the early spring before buds start to grow
• Do not prune more than ⅓ of the branches

Over the last 150 years, there has been a decline in tree diversity along the shorelines of the Midwest’s mightiest rivers as hardwood trees (such as oaks, hickories, pecan, paw paw, etc.) have been depleted for fuel and building materials, and by flooding and disease. Everyone assumes that there is an abundance of wildlife on the river but many species have nearly disappeared because of the absence of food as the trees that currently exist on the river have little or no food value for wildlife.

The MillionTrees Project will only plant trees that produce nuts and fruit so that ducks, songbirds, squirrels, wild turkeys, etc. have a viable food source. These strong hardwoods also create a wonderful habitat for wildlife and nesting birds.

The roots of trees act as filters. Especially when planted along waterways, these roots can help reduce the amount of pollution and run-off entering our creeks, rivers and streams.

Trees grow long and strong roots in order to keep them in place. These same roots also help keep the ground in place and reduce erosion.
Diversifying the current makeup of trees along our shorelines and in our communities increases the opportunities for beneficial wildlife and insects to live. It also helps protect against viruses, bores, etc. that could otherwise deplete an entire forest that’s made up of just one or two species.

Trees filter the air we breathe. By absorbing carbon, they reduce the impacts of climate change and the leaves also produce oxygen for us to breathe.

When planted along shorelines and islands, these trees produce shade over our waterways, keeping them cool for aquatic life and reducing the intensity of algae blooms and eutrophication of our waters. They also keep humans and wildlife safe and cool during hot and steamy summers.

Aside from all the health and wildlife benefits, trees are just plain beautiful and increase aesthetics everywhere they are planted.

Perhaps the most important part of this project is the community involvement. Thousands of volunteers annually help LL&W with packaging and planting trees throughout the Midwest.