Oakdale Tree Giveaway, Arbor Day Event to Honor Former Mayor

Late Oakdale Mayor Peter F. Graske will be .

Graske, the city’s mayor from 1975-76, served on Oakdale’s tree board until his death.

“He was a wonderful, gentle, generous man,” Sue Barry, city clerk, said following . “He’s Oakdale’s version of Johnny Appleseed.” 

Saturday’s event at the Oakdale Nature Preserve kicks off at 9 a.m., when a limited number of tickets for free trees will be given to Oakdale residents.

Following the dedication of “Pete’s Grove” at 9:30 a.m., trees will be distributed to ticket holders starting at 10 a.m. The giveaway will include 200 large bare root and container trees to celebrate Arbor Day.

Ticket holders will be able to redeem the tickets for one of the three trees: Scarlet Jewell Maple, Austrian Pine and Adams Crab. 

Graske, a 3M retiree, was traditionally presented with the first number given out; ticket No. 1 will be retired as part of the dedication ceremony. 

In one of Graske’s last projects, he planted several raspberry bushes at the Oakdale Nature Preserve so people walking along the trail could pick fresh raspberries, Chris Larson, the city's forester, told Patch in October 2012.

Graske was also known for grafting fruit trees, and had a tree that grew pears and apples, Larson said.

“He epitomized community stewardship,” Larson said. “A lot of people will remember his role with Arbor Day and planting trees, but he did way more than that.”

The Oakdale Nature Preserve is located at 4444 Hadley Ave.

Master Gardeners will also be on hand at the event. Arbor Day 2013 in Minnesota is Friday, April 26.

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