Wheeling Tree Board Holds Arbor Day Planting at Dog Park | News, Sports, Jobs

The yearly tree planting occurred at the just recently resumed dog park at the Tunnel Green Recreation Complex throughout a summer-like day that had numerous visitors and their four-legged buddies romping about. Tree Board Chairwoman Karen Cox kept in mind that Mother Nature assures to water the 2 brand-new saplings this weekend – making it an ideal time for them to settle.

“Arbor Day is a day that’s designed to celebrate trees and the many gifts that they give to us,” Cox said. “Every day, our trees are cleaning the air, keeping us protected from flood waters and giving us fresh oxygen to breathe.”

The yearly vacation was created to help raise awareness about the advantages of trees, and to commemorate them, Cox said. In Wheeling, trees have actually been planted on Arbor Day at numerous parks and public locations in the city. This year, the Tree Board tossed the dog park a bone with 2 brand-new trees.

“We’re planting trees here mainly because we’re losing a lot of the big trees that were here once the park was established,” she said, keeping in mind that both dogs and individuals value the shade at the park. “We’re just trying to replace shade that was lost due to the construction of the park here.”

picture by: Photos by Eric Ayres

Officials with the Wheeling Municipal Tree Board well known West Virginia’s Arbor Day on Friday with the planting of 2 trees at the Fitzsimmons Family Dog Park at the Tunnel Green Recreation Complex. From left are Tree Board member Chris Helminski; Urban Forrest Coordinator Robert Hannah of the W.Va. Division of Forestry; Tree Board members Karn Jaunsen, Karen Cox (together with her dog, Shadow) and Vice Mayor Chad Thalman; and Mayor Glenn Elliott with his kid, Harrison.

Cox explained that at any time roots are buried under numerous feet of soil, they tend to suffocate. These brand-new trees were planted at the present soil level, she said.

National Arbor Day constantly falls on the last Friday in April, however every state has a various Arbor Day observance that is based upon the very best season to plant a tree there. In the Mountain State, that date is April 14.

The brand-new trees were both planted Friday afternoon in the big dog area of Wheeling’s flagship dog park. An October splendor red maple tree, which will be dazzling red in the fall, was planted, as was an American linden or basswood, which will be covered in lovely flowers in the spring. The American linden – likewise referred to as the “bee tree” – is understood to draw in butterflies, lightning bugs, and obviously, bees.

“That’s why it’s being planted down there,” Tree Board member Karen Jaunsen said, keeping in mind that the blooming “bee tree” will grow at the extremely far end of the park to keep the dogs and their owners separated from excessive buzzing activity. The eye-popping blossoms from the American linden and the buzzing bees are understood to integrate to make a sweet batch of honey, authorities said, including that on the other end of the calendar – fall is a real showtime for the maple tree.

“We selected the October glory red maple cultivar to have its brilliant, blood-red, crimson foliage in the fall,” said Urban Forrest Coordinator Robert Hannah of the W.Va. Division of Forestry, which offered the trees for planting.

picture by: Photos by Eric Ayres

Officials with the Wheeling Municipal Tree Board well known West Virginia’s Arbor Day on Friday with the planting of 2 trees at the Fitzsimmons Family Dog Park at the Tunnel Green Recreation Complex. From left are Urban Forrest Coordinator Robert Hannah of the W.Va. Division of Forestry; Tree Board members Chris Helminski, Karen Jaunsen, Karen Cox and Vice Mayor Chad Thalman; and Mayor Glenn Elliott.

The city of Wheeling previously this month formally enacted the city code that describes the function and powers of its freshly formed Municipal Tree Board.

“There are many benefits of an urban canopy of trees – including shade, improved aesthetics, natural stormwater management, increased property values and an improvement of air quality,” said Wheeling Vice Mayor Chad Thalman, a member of the Tree Board. “This is what we had in mind when the Tree Board was established.”

Thalman said the just recently embraced legislation will offer the Tree Board the capability to continue its deal with enhancing the health and durability of city owned trees.

“This will also make it possible for the city of Wheeling to apply for Tree City USA status,” Thalman kept in mind. “Being a Tree City USA provides national recognition and will open the opportunity to get more grant funding to help care for our urban ecosystem.”

Citizens are welcome to get included with the Municipal Tree Board’s activities, which occur year-round – not simply on Arbor Day.

picture by: Photos by Eric Ayres

Officials with the Wheeling Municipal Tree Board well known West Virginia’s Arbor Day on Friday with the planting of 2 trees at the Fitzsimmons Family Dog Park at the Tunnel Green Recreation Complex. Karen Cox, chair of the Wheeling Municipal Tree Board, plants a red maple tree in the big dog area of the dog park.

“The Wheeling Tree Board does a lot of volunteer work for the city, and we’re always looking for new volunteers,” Cox said. “So if people love trees and they want to come get engaged with us, they can reach us at [email protected].”

Officials with the Wheeling Municipal Tree Board well known West Virginia’s Arbor Day on Friday with the planting of 2 trees at the Fitzsimmons Family Dog Park at the Tunnel Green Recreation Complex. Karen Cox, chair of the Wheeling Municipal Tree Board, together with her dog, Shadow, plants a red maple tree in the big dog area of the dog park.

Officials with the Wheeling Municipal Tree Board well known West Virginia’s Arbor Day on Friday with the planting of 2 trees at the Fitzsimmons Family Dog Park at the Tunnel Green Recreation Complex. Karen Cox, chair of the Wheeling Municipal Tree Board, plants a red maple tree in the big dog area of the dog park while her dog, Shadow, presents.