Tree Commission lays groundwork for fall planting

With fall on the horizon, the Cedartown Tree Commission had planting, pruning and mulching on its mind as the commissioners worked their way through the agenda for September meeting.

The commission made plans to host a tree planting and pruning seminar at 7 p.m., weather permitting, on October 26 at the pavilion in Peek Park. Master Gardeners Ricky Ensley, and Mason Brumby will talk about and demonstrate to the “how-to’s” and “how-not-to’s” for getting your trees and shrubs in the ground safely. The seminar is free of charge.

It’s also time to plant trees purchased by residents as part of the Living Memorial program. The program is open to individuals, families, businesses and civic groups. The investment for a living memorial is $500, which includes a 2-inch cali- per tree, planting, and placement of a bronze plaque commemorating an individual or special date.

Trees can be ordered between October and February.

The tree can be planted in any of the four city parks - Bert Wood Youth and Athletic Complex, Goodyear Park, Peek Park, and Turner Street Park.

Donors have a choice of five tree species, all of which are commonly found in the southeastern United States -- Dogwood, Mag-nolia, Grancy Greybeard, Chalk Maple or South Red Oak.

Commission Chair Marilyn Bunn suggested the city also survey trees planted through the program, which in some cases may need replanting or extra care.

The commission addressed the need to water trees more now due to the past dry summer. The commissioners discussed various ways to increase the watering of park trees and advised gardeners to water the trees on their properties if they are looking dry. “Give them a good soaking,” commissioner Beam Sutton said.

Sutton raised the issue of mulching the trees in Peek Park. Lee Hayes, Director of the Parks Department, said the city maintains a mulch pile on Sixth Street.

Hayes and Public Works director Kelvin Garmon, also present at the meeting, agreed to set up a schedule to get the mulch to the parks for distribution once a month.

Sutton asked Hayes to advise ground crews not to blow “every single leaf” from the ground in the parks this fall, and especially not to blow away leaves gathered at the base of the tree, which provide a natural mulch.

For more information on the planting and pruning seminar or the living memorial, contact Tree Commission Chair Marilyn Bunn at 678901-2802 or Commission members Billy Grant, 770-748-2307, or Beam Sutton, 770-748-6785.

This tree at Peek Park was planted in honor of Angie and Buster Johnson as part of Cedartown’s Living Memorial program. The $500 cost of a memorial tree includes planting and a bronze plaque.