A variety of flowering trees will be given away Friday at a joint observance of Arbor Day.
The city of Joplin along with Empire District Electric Co. and the Missouri Department of Conservation will hold a program at 11 a.m. at Parr Hill Park. It will be followed by an Empire giveaway of 3-gallon sized trees along with tree education by Empire and state vegetation experts until 1 p.m.
A similar event is planned for 3 to 5 p.m. Friday at Duquesne City Hall, 1501 S. Duquesne Road.
“We like to be involved because it is such a great opportunity for us to remind customers to plant the right tree in the right place,” said Julie Maus, with Empire District. “This is the time of year when everybody is planting trees.” She said it is helpful in deciding what to plant and where to plant to remember how large the tree will be in 10 to 20 years, particularly when planting near a power line. “That will help them avoid the issue with having a tree trimmed in a manner they would prefer it not be,” she said.
Joplin’s mayor, Melodee Colbert-Kean, will read a proclamation at the 11 a.m. ceremony declaring Arbor Day in Joplin. The city and Empire District hold a joint observance each year in recognition of Joplin’s designation as a Tree City USA and Empire’s designation as a Tree Line USA utility by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Cities that are recognized declare a commitment to community forestry. Joplin has established a tree board, in addition to adopting an approved list of trees and guidelines on proper planting. Members of that board also will represent the city at the event.
The varieties to be given away are Japanese lilac trees, Jane and Ann magnolias, and fringe trees.
“All four of those are blooming trees, so they really would make an attractive addition to your landscape,” Maus said. “They were specifically selected because they will do well in the area and also because they are mid-range size trees for neighborhoods. They are not going to get extremely large. They’re good for an urban-type setting.”
Foresters from the Conservation Department along with Empire workers and tree board members will answer questions about proper tree selection and site selection. People who want more information or who cannot attend the event may find that information on the utility’s website at www.empiredistrict.com/trees, Maus said.
In addition to giving away trees, Empire representatives will be planting some trees in Parr Hill Park to help restore some of the trees lost in the May 22 tornado.
Memorial trees
PARR HILL AND CUNNINGHAM PARKS lost more than 200 trees in the tornado. The city and volunteers have been planting trees at Cunningham Park as a memorial to the 161 lives lost. The last of the memorial trees will be planted as part of the city ceremony at 5 p.m. May 22 marking the one-year anniversary of the tornado.
Local News
Arbor Day to be observed at Parr Hill ceremony
Trees to be given away at event
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