Above: Tina Hegg spent a chilly day outside ensuring everyone was able to find their seedlings. People from throughout Cook County came by to fill their bags and boxes with spruce and pine seedlings. Left: Marnie and Ken McMillan with a couple of their spruce seedlings.
The chilly weather and unexpected dusting of snow on Friday, May 13 did not deter Cook County residents as they trekked up the Gunflint Trail to pick up their pine and spruce seedlings for the annual Hedstrom Lumber seedling giveaway.
The 25,000 seedlings, divided into three small stacks according to the type of tree, took up surprisingly little room in the big garage behind the Hedstrom Lumber office. Throughout the day, people stopped in, bags and boxes in hand, to pick up their order.
“We try to keep the giveaway contained to a single distribution day,” explained Tina Hegg, who headed up the event this year. “So we allow people to take all the seedlings if they’re not picked up at 4 p.m.”
Throughout the day, in addition to picking up their order, there were several wondering if there would be any leftovers at the end of the day. Hegg advised them to come back after 4 p.m., and by the end of the day, all of the seedlings were claimed.
The giveaway has grown into quite a popular event. Some go to people just looking to plant some trees on their property, while others go to Cook County teachers planning to plant the seedlings with their classes. This year, the Cook County Community YMCA also picked up some seedlings to distribute as a member appreciation gift.
Although the giveaway is only for Cook County residents and landowners, word has spread throughout Minnesota and beyond as people from the rest of the state and Wisconsin called in to ask about the seedlings.
“However, we like to keep it local,” Hegg said. It is probably a good idea since excited Cook County folks were quick to claim the seedlings.
“I love the seedling giveaway,” Hegg concluded. “It’s fun because people are so enthusiastic about growing strong, beautiful trees. Our snowy December took down forests all over the county, but many folks I met have stories to tell me about how well their trees are still growing from past years’ planting.”
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