Marietta resident Mimi Layman and her dog Schatzi walked past trees that were beginning to bloom in Muskingum Park on Thursday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Though many branches remain bare, some trees in Muskingum Park began blooming on Thursday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Marietta residents Kelsey Hall (left) and Nola Juliano, along with Hall’s goldendoodle Luca, enjoyed a stroll through Muskingum Park on Thursday, where a handful of trees are beginning to show their foliage as the weather begins to warm up. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Marietta resident Mimi Layman and her dog Schatzi walked past trees that were beginning to bloom in Muskingum Park on Thursday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
By Nancy Taylor
staff reporter
For the 44th year in a row, Marietta has received national recognition for his dedication to planning, planting and caring for his plants “City Forest”.
An announcement by the Arbor Day Foundation named Marietta a 2022 Tree City USA for once again meeting the program’s four requirements: maintaining a tree committee or department, having a tree care ordinance, providing a minimum annual community forestry budget of $2 per capita, and hosting one Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Marietta’s Arbor Day celebration will be held on April 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Armory lawn, along with the Earth Day celebrations, according to Marietta Tree Commission Secretary Kim Bloss.
Though many branches remain bare, some trees in Muskingum Park began blooming on Thursday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
“There will be activities and education for the whole family.” She said. “I hope that everyone can participate in the celebration of our beautiful city of Marietta.”
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the US Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
“The trees planted and cared for by Marietta ensure that future generations will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and instills a sense of civic pride, whether through volunteering or public education.” said Dan Lambe, executive director of the Arbor Day Foundation, in a press release about the appointment.
In related news, the Marietta City Council was expected to pass a resolution Thursday night accepting $783 from the Marietta Community Foundation’s William McKinley Memorial Tree Fund. Resolution #84(22-23) states that the donation is to be used to purchase and plant trees within Marietta city limits in the fall of 2023, under the direct supervision of the Public Safety Service Director.
Earlier this year, the council approved $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the city’s tree program, but said $250,000 would go towards trimming and tree removal and $50,000 towards the purchase of a stump grinder for intended for use by the Tree Commission. The plan is to try to catch up on the very expensive maintenance of the larger trees, which requires hiring arborists with large equipment, said Steve Wetz, director of security.
Marietta residents Kelsey Hall (left) and Nola Juliano, along with Hall’s goldendoodle Luca, enjoyed a stroll through Muskingum Park on Thursday, where a handful of trees are beginning to show their foliage as the weather begins to warm up. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
However, Tree Commission co-chair Grady Smith has also pointed out that the price of a single new tree, including planting, can be $250 to $300.
The Marietta Tree Commission meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 4:15 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 304 Putnam St. in the second floor conference room.
The meetings are public.
Nancy Taylor can be reached at ntaylor@newsandsentinel.com
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