Arbor Day has been celebrated on the last Friday in April across our nation since 1872. One hundred years later, in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation was formed, a nonprofit conservation and education organization of nearly one million members.

Its mission is to inspire people to plant, celebrate and nurture trees. It works with thousands of organizations all over the United States such as the U.S. Forest Service, schools, and environmental groups to raise awareness of the value of trees.

Through the generous donations of members and partners, the foundation has helped the forest service plant more than 20 million forestland trees since 1990.

So you can understand why it is a designated day Ironton in Bloom members get excited about.

We have found several spots downtown that could certainly benefit from a well-planted tree.

Although the Arbor Day Foundation has declared the mighty oak its official tree, the locations we have in mind dictate the need for trees that are well able to stand the far-from-ideal conditions that surrounding streets and sidewalks offer.

At our most recent meeting, our tree committee brought five trees to the table that they feel we should consider.

We would like to see how these trees actually look growing, since the catalog pictures and descriptions are limiting. The trees are Kentucky Coffee, American Linden, Little Leaf Linden, Black Gum and the Thornless Hawthorne.

A beautiful row of Thornless Hawthorne can be seen at the corner of 10th and Scott streets, but we know of no place where the others can be viewed.

If readers out there have any of these trees growing on your property, or know where they can be seen that is reasonably convenient, would you please contact Carol Allen at (740) 532-4495 or me at (740) 532-2954?

This must be done ASAP since we need to order the trees soon if we are to plant them on Arbor Day.

We are also curious about what might be the oldest tree within the city limits. We could probably stir up some money for a plaque for it if there is evidence to prove its age.

We hope you’ll help us with this information as we continue to enjoy doing constructive projects to create beauty and interest in our town.

 

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