The trees are starting to blossom beautifully around town, reminding me of how important they are in softening a city‘s rough edges and making it more attractive to the visitor.

I wonder if there’s a way city workers can do the necessary trimming and still allow the trees downtown to grow big enough to provide shade for anyone who wants to sit a spell and visit on the new benches that have been placed along the sidewalks?

I read the other day that trees add 15 percent to the value of one’s property.

So if you have one that is too close, too far away, or lopsided, think twice before getting rid of it. Who said trees have to be symmetrical to be beautiful? When I was a kid, we had an old apple tree on the farm that fell completely over.

Some of it was still connected to the roots and we children talked our parents into leaving it there a couple of years.

One of my best memories is lying stretched out horizontally on that tree trunk, just a few feet above the ground, reading a good book while completely hidden from all the world by fragrant apple blossoms.

Earth Day and Arbor Day are coming up in April. It is rather sad that the word ‘arbor’ seems rather old-fashioned these days.

But fifth graders and their guidance counselor, Bobbi Payne, at Ironton Elementary are planning some litter pick-up and planting around the school to celebrate these special days. (Thanks go to the folks at Lawrence-Scioto County Solid Waste Management who are providing them with gloves, bags, and information.)

Over at the high school, Kimberly Kelley’s Environmental Science class has consulted with Ironton in Bloom about starting an outdoor lab on the school grounds that will include a sensory garden, a pool, and butterfly habitat.

Take a look when you’re driving through town at the results of planting the bulbs residents donated last fall.

The bulbs are beginning to bloom at the four city entrances, on the Railroad Street median, and close to the new Splash Park. We hope this is only a start.

The America in Bloom judges who were our guests in June of 2009 suggested we choose a town flower.

I saw some video of a town that chose Black-eyed Susans. It was quite striking to see their bright yellow heads peeping over fences, along hedges, and in flower beds on every block from one end of town to the other.

The judges think we should choose the daffodil. I’m not so sure that’s a good choice, given their short lifespan.

If you have a favorite, relate it to a member of Ironton in Bloom.

We have kicked the idea around for over a year now and can’t agree on what would be most suitable.

I wish ironweed had a prettier blossom. The name fits so well historically.

Spring has sprung! Onward and upward!

Judy Sanders is an Ironton resident and a volunteer with the Ironton In Bloom organization.