Trees are good for the city
Increasing the tree canopy in town helps not only city residents, but the entire county as well, according to Mayor Nathan See. The spring tree give-away held Friday, April 26, was successful despite the morning rain.
“It was very good, it was very successful. The trees were all picked up,” See said. There were 250 trees available.
The city, thanks to the Walton Family Foundation, has been holding the spring and fall tree giveaway events since 2019.
“It helps the whole county,” See said.
Many residents said they want to plant a tree to provide shade over their homes in the new subdivisions.
“We use them along our corridors,” See said, explaining that the city gets trees from the Walton Family Foundation to plant along corridors and in parks. Trees have been planted along Patton Street, Hazelton Road, Weston Street and McCulloch Street.
“We’ll do more when we do more sidewalk and trail projects,” See said.
Employees of the Street Department put the trees in vehicles Friday for the residents.
“It went very, very well,” Monte Keene, superintendent of the Street Department, said. “We started early because of the rain. There were a lot more people who came after the rain let up.”
Keene said many people thanked them for the opportunity to get the trees without cost. He said he hopes people follow the
guidelines and avoid plant near power lines and check for underground lines before digging.
Trees play a critical role in creating healthier, safer and more connected communities, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.
Trees clean air, filter water and slow storm surge and flooding. In addition, shade provided by trees can cool cities by up to 10 degrees.
Trees “eat the greenhouse gases that cause climate change,” according to The Nature Conservancy. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and store it. Trees also improve mental health and physical health, according to The Nature Conservancy.