Members of the Independence community near Long Neck recently expanded their efforts to further enhance the landscape and do so in the most environmentally and ecologically sound and economical way possible.

In partnership with Cypress Tree Care services and owner Jay Ashby II, the neighborhood has created a tree farm. More than 30 community volunteers planted approximately 85 bare-root trees on one of several available acres of open space.

The combination of native canopy trees and ornamental trees, will be allowed to grow until reaching a suitable height of between 4 and 6 feet, when they will be transplanted among other areas of the community. A row of ornamental dogwoods was also planted as buffer to provide long-term beautification once the tree farm is no longer needed.

Canopy trees planted consist of sweetgum, hackberry, beech and American larch, along with ornamental trees such as wild cherry and serviceberry.

Cypress Tree Care drilled the planting holes and donated the trees. Ashby said, “Having hunted on this property when I was younger, I would love to see the restoration of forest on these lands.” The community provided protective plastic barriers and stakes to ward off wildlife, and the workforce to plant, mulch and ultimately tend to the growth of the trees over time.

Spearheaded by community subcommittee members Cindy Seigafuse and Linda Cherney, the endeavor is one of many that have been planned and completed to improve the appearance and environmental and ecological conditions of the community, while bringing residents together for the good of all.

Independence, an-age restricted 55+ community with 455 single-family homes is located on Indian Mission Road in Long Neck. A  dedicated corps of volunteers supports more than 46 acres of common ground.