City celebrates Arbor Day
Published 1:35 am Saturday, February 18, 2017
- City officials plant a tree to celebrate Arbor Day on Friday at the parking lot of the Carmike LaGrange movie theater. Photo by Alicia B. Hill | Daily News
By Jennifer Shrader
Jennifer.Shrader@lagrangenews.com
Some new, future shade went up Friday in the parking lot of LaGrange Carmike 10 cinemas.
City officials, local arborists and even the LaGrange High School FFA chapter showed up to plant the tree in honor of Arbor Day, celebrated the third Friday in February each year.
“The importance of trees and the forest is often overlooked,” said Sam Breyfogle, a local arborist and forestry official. The urban forest provides shade, wildlife habitat, and even increases property values.”
LaGrange is a “Tree City USA,” and has planted trees during past Arbor Day celebrations at Ethel Kight Elementary School, Union Point Park, City Hall and on Callaway Church Road. Unrelated to Arbor Day festivities, they’ve also planted trees on Interstate 85 at exit 18, the Sweetland Amphitheater and District 4 Public Health.
“With all the activity we have going on here in downtown, it’s important to take a step back and say that trees in an urban environment are just as important as the development going on,” said Mayor Jim Thornton.
