Tree Planting Commemorates Arbor Day in Garden City

[April 30, 2021]: The Village of Garden City celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, April 30 with a tree planting ceremony on the Village Green. Members of the Village’s Beautification Committee and Recreation Commission joined Recreation Commissioner Paul Blake, Recreation Assistant Superintendent Sandy Young and Village Trustee John Delany in planting a red maple behind the Gazebo.

First celebrated in 1872, Arbor Day was established as a way to encourage farmers and homesteaders to plant trees that would provide shade, shelter, food, fuel and beauty to open areas. In New York, Arbor Day is celebrated the last Friday in April.

Trees are essential to a healthy environment, helping to provide clean air and creating rich aesthetics for all. They are vital to our economy and contribute greatly to our everyday lives by providing paper for many different uses, lumber for homes and businesses, maple syrup, fruits and nuts and decorations during the holidays. They add beauty to attract new business and tourism to our great state, as well as numerous other benefits.

This Arbor Day observance is one of four requirements Garden City must achieve in order to be designated a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service with the National Association of State Foresters. The award recognizes communities that meet detailed, objective standards applied to trees on public property. According to Mr. Blake, Garden City has also met the other three requirements: a tree board or department; a tree care ordinance; and an annual community forestry budget of a minimum expenditure per capita.

More information on the program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.