Imlay City, Ruth Hughes library collaborate for ‘Tree City USA’
Parks & Rec Commission Tree Board member Cynthia Stroebel hands out white pine tree to Calvin Ramirez, 7, a first grader at Imlay City’s Weston Elementary School. Stroebel also serves on the library board.
IMLAY CITY — If, as Kahlil Gibran said, “trees are poems that the Earth writes upon the sky,” then the skies above Imlay City are filled with beautiful, lyrical words.
As the leaves unfurl over the streets of the town, City officials in conjunction with the Ruth Hughes Library celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, April 28.
Free white pine, concolor fir and canaan fir trees were handed out at the library, reminding all that Imlay City is proud of—and dedicated to—its Tree City designation.
Tree Board and Library Board member Cynthia Stroebel says the giveaway is a Tree City celebration that offers a learning moment for youngsters as well as a chance for residents to plant new trees.
“The City is so thankful for the support from the library in celebrating Arbor Day,” Stroebel says. “The free trees included planting and care instructions, and kids also went home with a Lorax inspired truffula tree craft kit.”
Stroebel says the city purchased the beautiful, healthy young trees from local nursery Super & Sons, who also provided the care instructions for the trees.
The ‘Tree City USA’ program was created in 1976, and aimed at “greening up” cities and towns across the United States.
Imlay City is among some 3,400 communities to commit to becoming a Tree City USA.
According to its website, the City “achieved Tree City USA status by meeting four core 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.”
By noon on Friday, more than 25 residents stopped in to pickup a tree. One tree per family was offered until all were given out.
Catherine Minolli is Managing Editor of the Tri-City Times. She began as a freelance writer with the Times in 1994. She enjoys the country life, including raising ducks and chickens.
