Local volunteers and the city tree planting crew assisted with the planting of 10 trees around Ashley Place Park on Monday for Arbor Day. Griffin’s arborist Kreg Jenkins said the city has had the Tree City USA designation for the past 21 years.
He explained part of that designation is the celebration of Arbor Day and the planting of trees. Ten trees were planted Monday including six red buds, two sugar maples, a swamp white oak and a Princeton elm, Jenkins said.
Voluteers for the planting included Jim Foley, Jerry Walker, Margie King, plus Jenkins and Israel Barysgua from the city as well as a resident from Ashley Place, Glen Underwood. There were also two horticulture instructors from Southern Crescent Technical College, Greg Huber and Bob Oxford, plus six students from Oxford's class, Julia Vanderwerker, Shannon Smith, Ben Fields, Mike Tarr, Eric Phillips and Brett Byous.
The city commissioners approved a proclamation last week, declaring Feb. 15 as Arbor Day, but because of the recent rains the planting was postponed until Monday. Jenkins read the proclamation as part of Monday’s ceremony.
In the proclamation, the city urged all citizens “to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and support our city’s urban forestry program and plant trees to promote the well-being of present and future generations.”
It noted the history of the Arbor Day, beginning in 1872 in Nebraska, the benefits of trees in reduction of topsoil erosion, heating and cooling costs and storm water runoff as well as the cleaning the air. It also recognized the value of trees as a renewable resource for paper, wood and the enhancement of property values, economic vitality and beauty in the community.
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