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Huntsville Tree Commission holds Arbor Day celebration for beauty and benefits of trees

Published on February 28, 2025

An early spring-like day made for the perfect setting to celebrate the beauty and benefits of trees.

The Huntsville Tree Commission held its annual Arbor Day celebration at Brahan Spring Park on Feb. 24, a festive event that included fifth graders from McDonnell Elementary, Smokey the Bear and a proclamation from Mayor Tommy Battle.

children with shovels and rakes work to plant a tree
Students from McDonnell Elementary School work together to plant a tree at the Arbor Day celebration.

“It is great for the City of Huntsville to have a group that advocates for trees and puts on a celebration like this,” Mayor Battle said.

The proclamation declared the last week of February as Arbor Week. It also outlined numerous advantages of trees:

  • A renewable source giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires
  • Increase our property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas and beautify our community
  • A source of joy and spiritual renewal
two men with shovel toss red dirt in planting a tree
Mayor Tommy Battle, right, and McDonnell Elementary Principal Frazier Barnes help plant a tree on Arbor Day in Brahan Spring Park.

Katie Wiswall, Partnership Coordinator for the Alabama Forestry Commission, also recounted the history of Arbor Day. It began in 1872 in Nebraska at a time when the state had few trees and settlers longed for the allure and rewards of trees and established a tradition that has seen millions of trees planted across the country.

And in keeping with that tradition, the students from McDonnell planted a tree in Brahan Spring Park with the assistance of Green Team.

Winners from McDonnell in the Arbor Day poster and poetry contests were also announced. Allison Oruda finished first in the poster contest with Ingrid Reyes-Salas in second, Willow Jones third and Zoe Martin honorable mention. In the poetry contest, Nima Rodgers, Elia Ferrel and Joshua Riggs were the winners.

Josh Ashebranner, a Forestry Commission Forest Ranger, spoke about the need for safety when burning outdoors. Smokey the Bear reiterated that message as he posed for pictures with the students. Representatives from Huntsville Fire & Rescue (HFR) also attended and spoke to the students about the dangers of fire while showing off an HFR truck.

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