Hendersonville Tree Board Announces the Annual Arbor Day Event on Friday, May 5, which will Involve Students from Mountain Community School

School children at Mountain Community School will join Arbor Day officials and the public at this year’s Arbor Day celebration on Friday, May 5, at 12:15 p.m. The Arbor Day Celebration will occur at A Pet’s Own Place Dog Park on Seventh Avenue East, Hendersonville, where a new tree will be planted and North Carolina Forest Service personnel will present awards. Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk will attend and officially proclaim May 5 as Tree City Day in Hendersonville, and a red oak will be planted to provide shelter and shade at the park. The event is hosted by Four Seasons Rotary Club, which has sponsored Arbor Day events for over 15 years. The community is invited to attend.

The students will present a special program focusing on trees and their important service to the community. A ranger with the N.C. Forest Service will declare the City of Hendersonville a Tree City USA, the City will be given a Growth Award as well, and a Tree City flag will be presented.

“We are proud of the efforts in our town to preserve, protect, and plant trees,” said Dr. Jim Volk, coordinator of the program for Four Seasons Rotary. “We organize the local Arbor Day program to enable school children and the community to celebrate those efforts. Everyone is invited to attend this brief but important event.”

Arbor Day events are held around the country and the world throughout the year. Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting certain standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day.

2017 marks the 41st Anniversary of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program, and Hendersonville is celebrating 26 years as a Tree City USA, recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

The Tree City USA Growth Award is given by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize higher levels of tree care by participating Tree City USA communities. The Growth Award highlights cities and towns that have innovative tree programs and projects, increased commitment and resources for urban forestry, and have partnered on new ideas and successes. This will be the 19th year that Hendersonville has received a Growth Award.

In addition, Hendersonville is one of only 14 Sterling Tree City USA communities in North Carolina. Sterling Communities are regarded by the Arbor Day Foundation as leaders in community forestry and are often looked upon as innovators.
For more information about the Arbor Day celebration, phone Arbor Day Coordinator Dr. James Volk at 693-5692.