[Mpls] Are the new library's trees drying up?

[Alan Shilepsky]

Walking on Nicollet Mall past the library construction site Friday 
evening I saw 24 new, bagged, trees (white birches, I think) waiting to 
be planted.  I noticed that there were 14 other bagged trees already in 
concrete forms, but not covered with dirt yet.  The leaves seem to be 
browning and drying out.

Now, I don't know much about trees--I live in a hi-rise condo--but I do 
worry about the health of these trees and their viability over the 
winter.  I'm wondering if they got delivered several days too early, and 
are being left sitting around until the prep work for them is 
completed.  Anyway, checking today (Saturday), I saw no evidence that 
anyone was running water to them.

Just on principle I'd hate to see them dehydrate or die.  But it is a 
taxpayer thing too.  I see on the internet that a 6ft to 8ft river birch 
is $80, not including shipping.  These must be 10 ft so say it was $100 
each, times 38 trees, so we are talking easily $3800, before shipping 
and the cost of planting (or replanting, if these get planted and then 
don't survive the winter). 

Like I say, I don't know trees.  Maybe someone who does can walk by and 
then give me a reassuring report or, better yet, maybe the city (fire 
department? public works?) can run some water over to these guys before 
Monday.  I'd sure appreciate it, and maybe they would too.

Alan Shilepsky
Downtown