Frankfort Tree Board has an eye toward the future

By Bree McGregor 
Current Contributor

It is a blustery spring morning when Frankfort Girl Scout Daisy Troop 8788—its members ranging from five to seven years of age—descends upon the Frankfort Tree Nursery, located next to BLUA (Betsie Lake Utility Authority). Cars lumber slowly down the dirt lane, and families tumble out with woolen hats and hand trowels. Children sprint and skip as parents, with coffee cups in hand, amble up to the nursery gates, where warm smiles and greetings are exchanged with Frankfort Tree Board volunteers. 

The Daisy Troop has arrived with 18 northern red oak (Quercus rubra) seedlings in hand, and they are eager to plant their “baby trees” in the nursery, where the children will learn planting and care techniques from the knowledgeable and patient Tree Board volunteers. 

These seedlings were a donation from the Daisy Troop by way of Neighborhood Forest, a U.S.-based organization founded in 2010 whose mission is giving trees to children; the organization gave native or fruit-bearing trees to “67,000 kids in all 50 states, six provinces in Canada, and five schools in Mexico during Earth Week [April 22-26, 2024].” 

Meanwhile, closer to home, Frankfort’s Daisy Troop scored one seedling for each troop member this year. 

Growing a Tree City 
If not for the self-proclaiming banners draped over its fence, one might miss the Frankfort Tree Nursery, nestled discreetly on Lake Road between the hulking BLUA tank and steady construction of workforce housing at the former location of the Frankfort Lions Club, on the corner of M-22 and Main Street. 

Inside the open-air nursery, there is row upon row of seedlings at various stages of growth, and all that they represent: the immense promise of life for another 100 years to come and a perpetual gift of tree-lined streets for Frankfort residents and visitors alike, who will one day gaze upon their towering trunks, walk beneath their outstretched limbs, and rest a while below their shady canopies. 

The Frankfort Tree Board was first formed 21 years ago, back in 2003, through the efforts of a dedicated group of local citizens that included Mary Armstrong, Peggy Hawley, and Nancy Marshall. Presently, the organization is an official subcommittee of the Planning Commission within the City of Frankfort government. 

The Tree Board meets monthly on a Wednesday afternoon, beneath the covered pavilion at Mineral Springs Park (weather permitting), where curious citizens are welcomed. Tree Board president Jeff Smith explains that the organization’s mission is, more generally, “to promote public knowledge and awareness of the benefits of trees and forests,” and more specifically, “to watch over a City tree inventory [trees on City property] of roughly 1,600 trees, while continuing to add to our tree canopy—for all of the benefits that brings.” 

The Frankfort Tree Board is an all-volunteer organization. No expertise is required of members, just a keen interest and one’s willingness to roll up their sleeves. 

These volunteers are steadfast supporters of the organization’s mission. According to Smith, a core group of eight to 10 members undertake everything from weeding and mulching to helping with public flyers, information sheets, and newspaper articles. There are an additional 10 to 15 members who keep up with Tree Board news and activities, as well as helping to educate others. 

Since the Frankfort Tree Board’s inception in 2003, Frankfort has been designated a “Tree City” by the national Arbor Day Foundation and has proudly earned the “Growth Award” 18 times through a point system for various activities that include educating the community. 

To become a Tree City, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observation and proclamation. The Frankfort Tree Board has played a foundational role in securing Frankfort’s “Tree City” status. 

Cruising through picturesque Frankfort, it is impossible to miss signs of a city in bloom; everywhere redbud and serviceberry blossoms proliferate—with hawthorns and dogwoods soon to follow—and leaves unfurl, forming tidy borders along public sidewalks, schools, and parks. 

Healthy young trees are staked and tied neatly with twine, their tender trunks dressed with dark green water bags; these are the characteristic markers indicating the good works of the Frankfort Tree Board—evidence of trees meticulously transplanted from the nursery into their forever homes. 

In any given year, the organization plants approximately 50 trees, and they often undertake additional projects, which increase this total. Smith points to the M-22/Forest Avenue construction project last summer as one example, through which the Tree Board planted an additional 65 trees, on top of their typical 50. He estimates that, over the past five years, the Tree Board has averaged 60 to 80 trees planted per year in the City of Frankfort. 

Rooted in Community 
Frankfort is a small community with a remarkably high per-capita rate of collaboration, a trait that reflects a city that is beloved by its residents. 

Through its many partnerships over the last two decades, the Frankfort Tree Board has firmly established its own roots and an extensively branched network. The organization has worked closely with community groups, including the Benzie Conservation District; has provided advice and assistance to the Village of Elberta on tree-planting activities; and hosts regular programs with the Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools (FEAS) district and its students. 

In addition to the recent Daisy Troop tree-planting event at the nursery back in April, the Frankfort High School National Honor Society helps to weed and mulch the younger trees and a group from the FEAS Service Day—in which all middle and high school students sign up to do a half-day of community-service projects once a year in the spring—helps do the same. 

Smith explains how City staff and crew also support the Frankfort Tree Board: 

“[They] do a great job of helping our cause. From administrating the donor tree program to the DPW [Department of Public Works] watering our new trees every summer, their contributions are critical.” 

On the east side of M-22 in Frankfort, an expansive new tree-planting project is already underway. Smith provides the exciting details: 

“With the help of a Department of Natural Resources Urban  and Community Forestry grant, we’ve embarked on what we call the ‘Park Connector Project.’ Over the next 18 months, this will add roughly 40 new trees into the space between Market Square Park and Leelanau Avenue on the east side of M-22. This will really enhance the pedestrian connectivity from the park to downtown and the waterfront parks. We have started this spring with seven new eastern redbud trees and will be adding more species this fall and next spring. We’re also hoping to get some new sidewalks installed, which will wind between the trees. We also have received grants from Consumers [Energy] and DTE which allow us to expand our scope.” 

Girl Scouts in Bloom 
With roots freshly planted in Frankfort, Girl Scout Daisy Troop 8788—formed in December 2023—is already becoming well versed in community service and collaboration. 

Troop leader and Daisy parent Dan Trigg approaches his role with a great deal of patience for a small army of eager and energetic five- to seven-year olds and with his philosophy that “while the Girls Scout experience is important, the community experience is more important.” 

He explains: 

“I am looking for opportunities for these girls to learn more about Frankfort, its history, and the opportunities they have to contribute to their community.” He points to a tenant in Girl Scouts, “Be a sister to every Girl Scout.” 

He says: 

“For my part, I want them to take that further, and be sisters to everyone in their community.” 

Trigg wants to find more ways “to balance our traditional Girl Scout learning with direct action and activity within the community.” 

He believes that these foundational experiences will be valuable for Girl Scouts from now into adulthood and will also benefit those around them. 

“If you are part of a local organization that can help our Daisy Troop connect with the community, do good works, and provide fun service while learning, I’d love to hear from you,” Trigg adds. 

Tilling New Gardens 
On that crisp spring morning at the Frankfort Tree Nursery, a short session of instruction by Tree Board volunteers is followed by an hour of frenzied planting activity by the Daisy Troop. Sharp winds cut across the bay, the clouds part, and warm rays cast their soft reward. 

Small trowels in constant motion glint in the sunlight, and dirt flies across a deep blue sky. Giggles are heard, and then a squeal—an earthworm is discovered. Worry not, little creature, you are safe in her hands: the Girl Scout motto is “Be Prepared,” and the Girl Scout Handbook of 1947 still reads, “A Girl Scout is ready to help out wherever she is needed. Willingness to serve is not enough; you must know how to do the job well, even in an emergency.” 

Such guidance is being absorbed here in this nursery, beneath the bemused and watchful gaze of Tree Board volunteers. The earthworm is gently lifted aside and digging resumes. 

Cheeks ruddy and noses running, the girl shore up spaces for damp and delicate roots. Breaths are held, as tiny seedlings are finally lifted, examined, and nestled solemnly into the earth. Dirt is swept back into place, filling holes, tucking in tight. 

Rest, little trees. Drink and grow, then stretch your branches up to the sky. The Girl Scout Daisies are watching, and the world is waiting. 

To get involved with the Frankfort Tree Board or share a question or concern, email FrankfortTreeboard@gmail.com or stop by Frankfort City Hall and leave your name and contact information.

Want to know more about how you can support this local Girl Scout troop? Contact Daisy Troop 8788 leader Dan Trigg at Dan.Trigg@gmail.com or 616-322-9676. 

Schools, libraries, and youth groups are eligible to join the Neighborhood Forest tree-giving program by registering at NeighborhoodForest.org.

Featured Photo Caption: Brett McGregor and his daughter, Esmé (6), volunteered with Frankfort Girl Scout Daisy Troop 8788 to plant trees back in April. Photo by Bree McGregor.