Free Trees for Arbor Day

Environmental benefits take root April 30 in .

On Monday night, supervisors passed a proclamation designating April 30 as Arbor Day in the township as part of its Tree City USA program.

With that comes free trees for township residents.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

Supervisor and liaison to the Shade Tree Commission Mike Fox said it will be the township Shade Tree Commission’s 15th year of celebrating Arbor Day.

“Once again, we have about 500 trees this year,” Fox said. “There are a number of types of trees that are annually picked to be part of the giveaway.”

Species of trees include blue birch, serviceberry, flowering red bed, and river birch.

“Our Shade Tree does a great job in organizing this. They make sure the trees are healthy and from a reputable grower,” he said. “It is also very, very well received.”

A couple of township Boy Scout groups are assisting with tree plantings this year.

“They will help with the ecological benefit of planting trees,” Fox said. “We have a very active and vibrant Shade Tree group that do great work. I encourage anybody from the township who would like a tree to come out.”

Supervisors Chairman Robert Birch said the event is always well attended.

The event will take place at the same location as last year: the gazebo at the township administration building.

Last year’s event was a bit crowded, as the Environmental Advisory Committee held its paper shredding event the same day.

“We were trying to make sure we have adequate space for both to go off,” Fox said.

The shredding event will instead take place this Saturday at during the township’s Earth Day activities.