The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Saline named 'Tree City'
Honor comes from the Arbor Day Foundation
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2008
During this week of environmental celebrations, the city of Saline announced a new designation as a Tree City USA community as honored by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to community forestry.
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This is the fifth year Saline has received the national recognition, awarded to the city for establishing a comprehensive community forestry program and tree board, setting a tree care ordinance and observing Arbor Day.
Dan Bennett is parks and forestry foreman for the city and is a certified arborist recognized by the International Society of Arboriculture. He and his staff of five at the Department of Public Works care for trees on city property and on lawn extensions between city roads and neighborhood sidewalks.
Since he joined the DPW 18 years ago, Bennett said the emphasis on tree care has changed dramatically.
"Mostly because of the emerald ash borer," he said. "We have learned about the importance of diversification as we replant."
George Danneffel, head of the DPW, said his crew has planted about 800 trees during the last four years, mostly replacing diseased ones.
Attending to these needed duties, along with the department's commitment to a respectable forestry budget — at least $2 per capita annually — earned the city the designation.
Council members unanimously voted to adopt a proclamation marking May 3 as Arbor Day in the city, urging citizens to celebrate and support efforts to protect area trees and woodlands, and "to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations."
A gathering at Mill Pond Park that day will mark the holiday as residents attend to the annual park clean-up and plant three trees at 10 a.m.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
"Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, and provide environmental and economical benefits. A community, and its citizens, that recognize these benefits and provide needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks," said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation.
Staff Writer Sue G. Collins can be reached at 429-7380 or scollins@heritage.com.
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