Tree commission to plant first Living Memorial tree, welcomes new board member
The Cedartown Tree Commission is getting ready this week to plant their first dogwood for their Living Memorial Program in Peek Park on Friday, Nov. 20.
The commission set the date during their meeting on Nov. 13 to discuss the progress of the program and to begin planning Arbor Day celebrations in February.
Commission chair Marilyn Bunn said the organization is hoping people will take advantage of the program now while the weather remains perfect for plantings.
“We’re losing a lot of trees at the park, so we came up with this plan to plant and replace them with living memorials of trees that will grow for decades,” she said.
The first tree order came in just after the program was announced, and the dogwood will be planted in Peek Park left of the pavilion in order to accommodate growth in the program.
Two more orders could possibly be coming in the future, and Bunn said she hopes more people will get involved and remember the trees being planted aren’t just for those who have passed away. She said the program is perfect for those looking to give a unordinary Christmas gift, or looking to honor an organization or group like a high school class celebrating a reunion.
Bunn said people can choose from any park in the city to have a tree planted except for Big Spring Park, which will be undergoing renovations in the coming future.
The program also has a wide selection of trees available to choose from, including the chalk maple, the grancy gray beard, southern magnolia, flowering dogwood and southern red oak.
All the trees that are purchased are already 2 inches around and are planted during the winter months so the trees have a chance to be acclimated to the soil before their spring growth cycle begins.
Board member Beam Sutton said those who wish to order a living memorial tree for planting during the off-season months - March through late October – will be held until they can be planted.
The commission is asking $ 500 for each living memorial, which includes a metal plaque to honor those for whom the tree is being planted or a special date.
For more information about how to get involved with the program, call Bunn at 678901-2802, Sutton at 770748-6785 or commission- er Billy Grant at 770748-2307.
The commission also welcomed a new member to the board at their November meeting. Master gardner Mason Brumby joined the ranks of the commission for his first meeting on Nov. 13.
Bunn said his addition continues to improve the board and his inclusion will go toward helping the commission move forward on their goal of getting more trees in Cedartown.
“It’s really exciting for us,” she said.