Twenty years ago one woman accepted the challenge to safeguard her environment.

By Barb Valiukenas Editor

The next time you visit a park, take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the trees.

That's the plea of Mildred Williams, known to many of her Springfield (IL) neighbors as the "tree lady."

Long-term commitment

Since 1965, Mrs. Williams and her husband, Howard, have planted approximately 1,000 butternut, cherry, walnut, pecan, persimmon, plum and peach trees at Siloam Spring State Park near Quincy. However, early plantings were done discretely in the park's timber area.

"The law says that you are not supposed to plant or dig up anything in State parks," Mrs. Williams explained. "We didn't want anyone to know about the plantings so we wouldn't be 'fined."

Those yearly spring and fall plantings went unmarked and unnoticed until 1980. It was then that the Williamses became acquainted with site superintendent Jim Assell. Since then, some of the trees have been planted in the park's nursery area, watered regularly and identified with stakes.

Illinois Parks and Recreation                                 12                                     September/October 1985

Each fall, Mrs. Williams starts the trees from nuts in two-liter plastic soda containers that have the tops cut off. They are then planted in her yard through the winter. The freezing and subsequent thawing break open the seeds. A hole in the bottom of the container allows the roots to grow. During the spring, she replants the six-inch trees into the top section of a double two-liter plastic soda bottle where they remain until they grow to four feet.

Others are planted in areas designated by Assell.

A local newspaper article published earlier this year about Mrs. Williams' work prompted additional assistance from the Illinois Department of Conservation (DOC). This includes chicken wire to protect the persimmon trees from hungry deers and other materials (stakes, spray paint and red surveyors' tape) to help with the plantings. Previously, the Williamses had assumed all related planting expenses as their budget allowed.

A childhood dream

Mrs. Williams' interest in trees began during her childhood visits to her great-grandfather's farm near Siloam Springs.

"I made up my mind then to have a butternut tree as soon as I had a place of my own," she said.

The abundance of nuts from the now 30-year-old tree that occupies her yard initiated the subsequent tree plantings.

Mrs. Williams raises the young trees in her yard in two-liter plastic soda bottles. When the trees are four feet, she and Howard take a two-week vacation to replant them at Siloam Springs. These plantings usually take place in May and October.

Mrs. Williams expects to take approximately 65 trees to the park this fall for what will be her final planting. Her decision to quit focuses on Howard's pending retirement in December.

Does she have any regrets?

"Yes, I wish someone would continue the project,"Mrs. Williams said.

"I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing anything grow, but it irks me that people will cut down trees that are 50 or 60 years old and never bother replacing them.

"Fifty years from now there won't be any . . . nothing for our grandchildren and future generations."

Any individual or group wanting additional information about Mrs. Williams' tree program can contact her through the Illinois Parks and Recreationmagazine. She is willing to hold classes this fall for anyone who wants to continue the tree plantings in city or State parks.

Illinois Parks and Recreation                                 13                                     September/October 1985