Lodi Arbor Day celebrations just around the corner
New trees will soon replace those that were removed at Lodi Lake during the construction of the boat ramp in early 2016.
Approximately 25 trees will be planted at both Lodi Lake and Kofu Park during the Arbor Day celebration scheduled for Saturday, April 1.
“We are replanting trees that had to be removed in order to complete the ramp area and parking space,” Tree Lodi Vice President Gordon Schmierer said.
Various species of trees will be planted, including oaks, maples and alders.
Flowering cherry trees will be planted at Kofu Park, recognizing the longtime relationship Lodi has with its sister city of Kofu, Japan.
According to Schmierer, the celebration will take place from 10 to 2 p.m. at the Parson’s Point Shelter on the north side of Lodi Lake. During the event there will be a formal announcement of whether Lodi will be designated as a Tree City USA city through the national Arbor Day Foundation. If selected, Dutra said it will be the 15th consecutive year that Lodi has earned that recognition.
“Its a coveted designation that shows that we have contributed to enhancing our urban forest,” Schmierer said.
The event will also feature a tree planting and tree pruning demonstration. Educational materials on mistletoe and planting the right tree in the right place will be available for those in attendance. The Master Gardeners of San Joaquin County along with several other partners will have a table filled with informational materials.
“It’s opportunity for the community to celebrate their urban forest that we’re very blessed to have in Lodi,” Tree Lodi President Steve Dutra said. “Lodi is blessed with having a long history of having trees along their streets and in their parks. And as we all know, there are tremendous benefits of having a healthy urban forest. It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate that, and an opportunity for the community to come out and if they’ve never planted a tree before to try their hands at planting a tree.”
The Lodi Arts Commission will announce the Arbor Day poster contest winners from George Washington Elementary School. The theme for the poster contest was “Keeping Lodi Green.”
The first three winners will receive cash prizes.
Dutra said the city staff usually hosts the Arbor Day event, but this year the city assigned Tree Lodi to organize this year’s celebration.
The city has been celebrating Arbor Day for several decades, and while the national celebration is held on the third weekend in April, Lodi always holds its celebration on the first Saturday of April.
This years event is being funded by The Grupe Company.
For more information call Dutra at 209-210-0255.