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The City of Albemarle recently marked its 15th consecutive year as a Tree City USA community during its annual Arbor Day Ceremony.
Tree City USA is a nationwide initiative that provides communities with a framework to effectively manage and expand their urban forests.
Since earning the Tree City USA designation, the city has planted more than 400 trees across downtown, city parks and other municipal spaces.
During an Arbor Day Ceremony, a proclamation from City Council was read, recognizing Arbor Day and its positive impact on communities. While Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated nationally in the spring, Albemarle observes the occasion in the fall when tree planting conditions are more favorable locally.
The event was attended by elected officials, city staff, a representative from the North Carolina Forestry Service and members of the Albemarle Tree Commission. This commission, composed of city staff and dedicated community volunteers, plays a role in preserving and promoting the value of a healthy and vibrant tree canopy in Albemarle.
Residents can further enhance the city’s tree canopy through the “Memory Tree” program, managed by the Albemarle Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Tree Commission.
This program offers an opportunity to commemorate a loved one, honor a special individual, or celebrate a significant occasion by planting a tree in a city park. Each tree is accompanied by a plaque at its base, signifying the honoree or event being memorialized.
The cost of a “Memory Tree” is $250, which includes a 4-to-6-foot tree, planting, care until established, and a personalized plaque. To learn more about the “Memory Tree” program, visit www.albemarlenc.gov/memorytree.