Fayetteville Today

City of Fayetteville issued the following announcement on Mar. 14.

All are invited to celebrate Arbor Day at the City of Fayetteville’s public ceremony on Monday, April 11 at 1:30 p.m. The event will take place outside Clark Park Nature Center at 631 Sherman Drive. City leaders and staff will highlight the tree that built the South, the Longleaf Pine.

Local leaders will read a proclamation and plant three Longleaf Pines. Children in homeschool programs will also be present. The students will learn about the history of the Longleaf Pine and benefits of trees in North Carolina. Fayetteville's Arbor Day celebration is just one way to highlight the area’s natural beauty and a local commitment to tree growth and preservation.

City leaders are also proud to announce Fayetteville received the Arbor Day Foundation’s 2021 Tree City USA recognition. The City has received the award annually for the past 20 years. To celebrate the award, the City will display a Tree City USA flag, a brass maple leaf and post two signs along a major street. 

“The environment is key to our survival and trees provide so much to our City that ultimately improves the quality of life and desirability of the community,” Mayor Mitch Colvin said. “We invite residents and visitors to attend our Arbor Day celebration or visit our local parks and beautiful downtown, especially now as some of our most beautiful assets are in full bloom.”

Landscape Architect Anthony Ramsey is a longtime City employee who works with crews responsible for tree maintenance and installation. 

“Over the past two decades we’ve planted more than 4,000 trees,” Ramsey said. “You can see these additions outside schools, City buildings, along streets and beside parking lots. Fayetteville City Council Members invest in today and tomorrow. Look at the green gateway in progress at Murchison Road and Bragg Boulevard. That space is now lit at night, soon we’ll plant more trees there and one day we’ll showcase art in the plaza.”

Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation crews may plant up to 250 trees each year.  The City of Fayetteville Tree Fund and grants cover costs of most trees planted. Dogwood, Oak, Flowering Cherry, Purple Leaf Plum, Crepe Myrtle, American Holly, Leyland Cypress are just a few of the types planted over the years. The City spends $4.35 per capita and the minimum requirement for Tree City USA is $2 per capita. Read all Tree City USA standards here.

 Original source can be found here.