Oak Ridge observes Arbor Day at St. Mary's

The Oak Ridger
·1 min read

It was a beautiful day to get out and plant a tree for Oak Ridge's 37th annual Arbor Day observance on March 4.

The Oak Ridge event took place at St. Mary's Catholic School this year, a news release stated.

The ceremony also marked the 34th year that the city of Oak Ridge has been recognized as a Tree City USA.

Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch speaks to students at St. Mary's School as part of the Arbor Day observance on Friday, March 4, 2022. Gooch said March 4's weather was the best in many years for the annual event.
Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch speaks to students at St. Mary's School as part of the Arbor Day observance on Friday, March 4, 2022. Gooch said March 4's weather was the best in many years for the annual event.

At the ceremony, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Area Forester Brook Smith presented the Tree City USA and Tree Line USA awards to Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch. Tree City USA, a National Arbor Day Foundation program, recognizes U.S. towns and cities that develop comprehensive urban forestry programs.

To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: a legally constituted tree board; a community tree ordinance; a comprehensive community forestry program supported by a minimum of $2 per capita; and an Arbor Day proclamation and public tree planting ceremony. Communities must reapply for the Tree City USA designation annually.

Students at St. Mary's Catholic School prepare to plant "Ruby Redbud" for Arbor Day 2022 in Oak Ridge.
Students at St. Mary's Catholic School prepare to plant "Ruby Redbud" for Arbor Day 2022 in Oak Ridge.
Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch poses with students, Principal Sister Mary John and faculty at a St. Mary's Catholic School for a tree-planting Arbor Day event.
Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch poses with students, Principal Sister Mary John and faculty at a St. Mary's Catholic School for a tree-planting Arbor Day event.

The Arbor Day ceremony included the planting of a Redbud tree, donated by the city of Oak Ridge.

St. Mary’s students decided to name the tree Ruby Redbud.

Holding the Tree Line USA banner are Aaron England, from left, who works for the Oak Ridge Electric Department and leads the tree trimmers; Tennessee Department of Agriculture Area Forester Brook Smith; Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn; and City Manager Mark Watson.
Holding the Tree Line USA banner are Aaron England, from left, who works for the Oak Ridge Electric Department and leads the tree trimmers; Tennessee Department of Agriculture Area Forester Brook Smith; Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn; and City Manager Mark Watson.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Oak Ridge observes Arbor Day at St. Mary's School

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