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View multiple requests   2010 Arbor Day Celebration - Monday, March 29, 2010 at 10:02
The City of Rocky Mount celebrated Arbor Day with a ceremonial tree planting at Truth Tabernacle Church on Friday, March 26, 2010. Arbor Day was originally conceived by J. Sterling Morton to designate a day to honor the value trees provide to the community at large. In January 1872, Mr. Morton proposed a tree planting holiday. In April 1872, Nebraska became the fist state to formally celebrate Arbor Day by planting more than one million trees across the state.

As a member of the American Public Power Association’s Tree Power Program, the City of Rocky Mount has planted over 60,200 trees within the City and has given away nearly 41,000 tree seedlings to residents. The City of Rocky Mount plants and maintains more trees today than any other time in the City’s history. In the weeks prior to the Arbor Day celebration, the City of Rocky Mount planted 30 additional trees at various parks throughout the City.

Each year, the City of Rocky Mount celebrates the tradition of Arbor Day by planting a tree. This year a Magnolia tree was planted at Truth Tabernacle Church. Mayor David Combs and other City Officials were on hand to participate in the celebration. As part of the festivities, students from Baskerville Elementary School and Parker Middle School performed.

Fifth grade students from area schools participated in an Arbor Day poster contest. Students submitted entries that creatively illustrated the theme of this year’s Arbor Day celebration- Trees Are Terrific and Energy Wise! Contest winners were announced at the ceremony and received school supplies, gift cards, a trophy and their framed artwork. The first place winner also received a one year family membership to the Children’s Museum. Fourth place went to Gracie Cox of Rocky Mount Academy. The third place winner was Neha Baliga, also from Rocky Mount Academy. Celeste Trevino of Rocky Mount Preparatory School was the second place winner and Rocky Mount Preparatory School student M D Fahad was the first place winner.

During the ceremony, the City of Rocky Mount received several awards for its continued commitment to the environment and its concern for the quality of life of its citizens. The City of Rocky Mount has been named a Tree City USA community and a Tree Line USA utility. In addition, the City received the Tree City USA Growth Award.

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. This is the seventh year the City of Rocky Mount has been nationally recognized as a Tree City USA community. Rocky Mount met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community by having: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.

This is the third year the City of Rocky Mount has received the Tree Line USA award. The Tree Line USA award includes both investor owned utilities and public power providers. Utilities receiving this award have demonstrated commitment to public education, tree planting and quality tree care. In order to be recognized as a Tree Line USA community, there are three requirements that must be met: quality tree care program, annual worker training in quality tree care practices, and a tree planting and public education program. The City of Rocky Mount is the only city in the state of North Carolina to have received this award.

The City of Rocky Mount is also the recipient of a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program in the areas of education and public relations, continuing education for tree workers, tree planting and maintenance, public utility tree care, and street tree planting. This prestigious award recognizes environmental improvements and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities.

In order to maintain the integrity of the power system and provide customers with safe and reliable electricity, the City of Rocky Mount administers an aggressive tree trimming program. Part of this effort includes public education about proper tree planting and site selection. Fallen trees and limbs are a major source of widespread power outages, especially after severe weather. Flickering or dimming lights can also be caused by a limb lying on the line.

To report a limb on a line, please contact Rocky Mount Public Utilities at (252) 467-4800. For more information about the tree trimming program, please contact Allen Richardson at (252) 467-4856 or log on to utilities.rockymountnc.gov.