FRUITLAND, Iowa — Scars of the June 1, 2007, tornado that uprooted the lives of Fruitland residents are fading thanks to the work of a group of area volunteers. 

On Saturday, Sept. 26, the non-profit Replant Fruitland organization invites area residents to join them in helping their city heal.

Replant Fruitland vice president Angie Werner said her group will meet with volunteers at 138 North St. at 9 a.m. to begin turning that area into a city park.

Members of Branching Out will also be on hand to help plant the 18 trees.

Replant Fruitland was organized in June 2007 to replace trees lost in the tornado. 

Replant Fruitland member Shelly Amos said the early focus of the group was to help private property homeowners get trees back into their landscapes to help deter utility costs from summer sun and winter winds.

This year, after helping bring more than 1,800 trees to Fruitland, the focus has shifted to public property.

Amos said Replant Fruitland obtained 50 conifer trees from Muscatine Power and Water and Trees Forever to plant on  public properties. 

Saturday’s project will also include planting a butterfly garden around the bricked area that surrounds a carving by Fruitland resident Eldon Ballenger.

Werner said Ballenger donated his skills to carve a tree stump left behind by the tornado, into  the image of a tornado.

Amos said her group is asking people who benefited from the tree planting efforts, or anyone who would like to volunteer to donate an hour of time on Saturday to help complete the park plantings.

Werner said volunteers can also help by bringing  their own tools and old newspapers to use underneath the mulch in the tree plantings.

For additional information or to volunteer, call Werner 563-260-0048.

The Committee

The Replant Fruitland Committee: Shelly Amos, Lynn Longstreth, Kathy Kurriger, Angie Werner and Judy Shoultz.