Seedling giveaway wraps as village cleanup crews fan out

Cortland County Soil & Water Conservation District’s spring tree-and-shrub seedling distribution wrapped up earlier this month, capping another busy season of backyard and roadside planting in and around Marathon. The timing paired neatly with the village’s annual Saturday cleanup day, when neighbors fanned out to collect litter and spruce up common spaces for the growing season.

Organizers described a steady turnout for both efforts. Residents reported bringing home bundles for windbreaks, streamside buffers, and pollinator patches. Offerings this year included a mix of native conifers and hardwoods, along with flowering shrubs that benefit birds and bees—species such as pines and spruces, oaks and maples, and common hedgerow shrubs like dogwood and serviceberry were among the typical choices, organizers said. Cool, damp soil earlier this month made for forgiving planting conditions.

On cleanup day, volunteers gathered in the morning and branched out along Main Street and the village green, around the firehall on Brink Street, and near the Tioughnioga River. By midday, bags were set out for pickup and sidewalks and roadside edges looked noticeably tidier. Families with kids, longtime residents, and a few folks new to town all pitched in. “It’s the kind of work you notice the next time you walk to Peck Memorial Library,” one participant remarked afterward, noting clearer curbs and fewer stray cans in the grass. (The comment was shared generally; formal quotes were not provided.)

If you missed the tree-and-shrub sale, Cortland County Soil & Water staff said there are often a limited number of leftover bundles and single seedlings after distribution. Availability varies from year to year. Residents interested in what’s still on hand should contact the district directly this week to ask about species and pickup times. Information is typically posted on the district’s website and social media, and staff can advise on whether any costs apply and how to reserve plants, if available.

For those planting newly acquired seedlings, keep roots damp and shaded until planting, set trees at the same depth they grew in the nursery, and water them in well. Simple guards can help protect tender stems from deer and mower damage, and a ring of mulch—kept off the trunk—will hold moisture through dry spells. With a little attention now, these small starts will add shade, habitat, and wind protection to Marathon’s yards and field edges for years to come.