City of Frederick Arbor Day Celebration

Submitted by Tom Rippeon, Arborist,
City of Frederick

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The City of Frederick will be celebrating its 30th year as a Tree City U.S.A. on Arbor Day, April 7, 2010. The Arbor Day program will take place at Lincoln Elementary School on Madison Street at 1:30 PM.  Lincoln Elementary School is home to an Arboretum and the new Earth and Space Science Laboratory*.

Frederick is the only City in the state of Maryland that has held the distinction of being a Tree City USA for 30 years.  In order for a city to be honored, it must meet four standards set by the National Arbor Day Foundation. They are as follows:

• Possess a tree board or department

• Possess a community tree ordinance

• Possess a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita

• Hold an Arbor Day observance with a proclamation.

In addition to the Tree City USA award, the City will receive the PLANT (People Loving and Nurturing Trees) Award. The PLANT award is a state-wide award recognizing tree planting and tree care efforts in communities. A number of other PLANT award communities from in and around Frederick County will also be recognized during the event.

Guests from Maryland DNR Forest Service, Frederick County Forestry Board, and garden clubs will participate in the program, and Lincoln Elementary School third graders will present a tree program. The ceremonial tree this year will be a White Oak, which is the state tree.  In 1941, the state of Maryland designated the White Oak (Quercus alba) as the State Tree, the most famous of which is the Wye Oak that was destroyed by high winds in 2002.

Each year the National Arbor Day Foundation provides the City with a Tree City U.S.A. flag. This year that flag will be presented to the participating school.  In addition, other ‘Tree City U.S.A. flags and banners will adorn the downtown area in observance of the celebration. The downtown area flags were purchased through generous donations made by the following sponsors: Greenwalled Garden Club, Frederick County Forestry Board, Taskers Chance Garden Club, and The Garden Club of Frederick, in addition to a grant from the Maryland Urban and Community Forest Community Forest Committee.

The Arbor Day Program is an educational opportunity for the students and the community, promoting awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of trees.  Trees enhance our quality of life and add value to our community. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

For additional information, please contact Tom Rippeon, 301-600-1233.

*Open House: Arboretum &Earth and Space Science Laboratory, 4-8PM.