Ypsi Free Tree Distro will give out over 2,000 trees, emphasizing food security for marginalized residents

On the Ground Ypsilanti is an “embedded journalism” program covering the city and township of Ypsilanti. It is supported by Ann Arbor SPARK, the Center for Health and Research Transformation, Destination Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University, Engage @ EMU, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Washtenaw ISD.

Organizers of Ypsilanti’s fourth annual Free Community Tree Distro will hand out over 2,000 free saplings of several tree species this weekend, with an emphasis on distributing food-producing trees to marginalized residents.

The event is set for April 18 from 2-4 p.m. at Recreation Park, 1017 Congress St. in Ypsilanti. It’s a grassroots effort, led by a handful of Ypsilanti neighbors and funded through small donations. 

“It’s always good to get more food-producing trees out into the world, diversify the local ecosystem, and bring people closer to their food,” says organizer Osprey Lesemann-Elliott. “It’s also a political project, because increasing access to fruit and fruit-producing trees empowers everyone, though we prioritize marginalized communities.”

The trees on offer will be mostly self-pollinating: elderberry, American plum, black cherry, redbud, white pine, and pecan. The list also usually includes pawpaws, a fruit native to Michigan, but organizers weren’t able to get them this year. Last year’s trees were covered by donations from neighbors, and Lesemann-Elliott says donations are welcome this year again to keep the event alive annually.

Lesemann-Elliott says organizers based the distribution on the Neighborhood Planting Project in Bloomington, Ind., which has been operating for about a decade. They knew it would be popular in Washtenaw County, where there’s already a heavy focus on environmental issues.

During the Saturday event, trees already reserved by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community members will be distributed first. The rest go to attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. The day will also include other learning opportunities, including a seed swap and a tree planting demonstration.

“We want people to not just leave with trees, but to leave knowing how to care for trees,” Lesemann-Elliott says.

Anyone with questions about the event can email ypsitreedistro@gmail.com.