News

What’s “sprouting” at Winfield Tree-Alition? Check back often for updates!

To Date — 195 Trees Planted

Winfield Tree-alition planted it first tree on Veterans Day 2024 in Memorial Park. We are proud to report that we have now planted trees at locations including our schools, WNM Hospital, Southwestern College, our City’s entrances and our cemetaries.

In addition we work with Winfield Gardenaires to present a Tree planting class for Winfield residents each Fall. Participants go home with a tree for their yards. That program has given away 52 trees.

It’s going to be fun to keep track of how many trees we add to our community. That total is now 193 trees. We are anxious to add more. Check back to track our progress.

Winfield has a City Tree Map

Ever see a tree in our city and wonder what kind it is? Now, you can discover what type of tree it is. Our Park Department has created Winfield’s Public Tree Map. Check it out!

FUN TREE FACT # 2

Xylem and Phloem: The vascular systems of trees are similar to human veins and arteries. Xylem acts like an artery, transporting water and dissolved minerals up from the roots, while phloem functions like a vein, moving sugars (food) produced during photosynthesis down from the leaves to the rest of the tree.

90 Trees Planted in Winfield Cemeteries

With the help 12 great volunteers who braved a chilly windy Friday in March, the Tree-alition planted 70 trees at Highland Cementary and 20 more at Union Cemetery. The trees are small but already growing. Since water is crucial for their survival, the Tree-alition is looking for volunteers to help with the watering task. A couple of hours a month for a few months would be a very appreciated. Please contact Julia Thompson at juliathompson@cox.net or at 620-222-4104. She can answer any questions and set you up to help.

Tree-alition Presents at the Kansas Tree City Annual Convention

On March 19^th, several of the Tree-alition Board members traveled to Great Bend to give a presentation at the yearly statewide Arbor Day Tree City Conference.   The presentation was to focus on the success of this community-based effort to ensure a tree rich environment in Winfield.  People were especially interested in the partnerships which have strengthened this effort – partnerships through our work with the local Gardenaires, Southwestern College, the city of Winfield, Gottlob’s and William Newton Hospital to mention a few.   It was an enlightening presentation of how a community can come together to make a significant difference in the quality of life in its environment.

Next Year Winfield gets to hosts this Tree City convention. Tree-alition is anxious to help show all the great things happening with Trees in our community

FUN TREE FACT (a new feature)

Winter Watering: Watering your trees deeply before a super hard freeze is crucial because moist soil holds significantly more heat than dry soil, providing a natural insulation blanket that protects the roots from cold injury. A well-hydrated plant also better withstands the dehydrating effects of dry winter winds and extreme cold temperatures, reducing the risk of “winter burn” damage.

In Fall 2025 the Tree-altion planted 11 new trees in our parks. Enjoy a walk and see if you can find those 11 Trees.

• Winfield Recreation Center Playground – 1
• Albright Park – 2
• Cherry Street park -2
• Cochran Park – 1
• Hiatt Park – 1
• Island Park – 1
• Fairgrounds Stage ll – 3

Have you noticed that some of the trees planted at Winfield’s North and South Entrances have died? 

It is not for lack of care.  The Winfield Tree-alition’s mission is to plant trees, and to provide education and care for them. When those trees were planted, there was a plan to monitor and provide regular watering for each tree.  The plan was followed but Mother Nature did not cooperate.   The very unusual wet weather brought a fungus that sadly killed some of the trees. 

Update: The trees were replaced under warranty. Now the colorful maples and oaks will continue to grow into a beautiful entry to our city.