Over the Garden Fence: Celebrating Arbor Day at school schools and a park

Mary Lee Minor

Some trips over the garden fence really take you on a journey. When we left Bucyrus last week for Defiance, it was to attend a celebration. The Northwest Ohio awards for Tree Cities in this part of the state were to be presented in Defiance at their F.O.E. (Fraternal Order of Eagles). Tree Commission members Andy Furner and I took Bonnie Welsh, director of communications for Bucyrus, with us.

Defiance's entire corps of city workers was wearing lavender shirts. A year ago the city celebrated a bicentennial and planted 200 lilac trees, so the lilac color was in vogue. A lilac bloom graced the program cover. We were each given a lilac seedling. Our cookies were even drizzled in lavender icing.

A city with 30 years experience as a Tree City, Defiance had it together. Forty-three cities, some with as many as 44 years of ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the quality of life, were recognized. Bucyrus is at seven. Yes, we are the youngest. We have the least experience.

Andy Furner and Mary Lee Minor (center), Bucyrus Tree Commission members, were joined by Bonnie Welsh, Bucyrus communications director, in Defiance as the trio accepted the Tree City USA award for seven years.
Andy Furner and Mary Lee Minor (center), Bucyrus Tree Commission members, were joined by Bonnie Welsh, Bucyrus communications director, in Defiance as the trio accepted the Tree City USA award for seven years.

We submit to the Division of Forestry our records showing (a) a tree ordinance, (b) an active tree commission, (c) a forestry program supported by a minimum of $2 per capita and (d) an annual Arbor Day proclamation with a public observance. The Urban Forestry Assistance Program views applications and, through the regional urban forester, recommends a city to the Arbor Day Foundation.

This may sound easy, but having plans for a city takes vision, work and a city administration which cooperates with the long-range planning. It is happening here. Serving as a tree commissioner is a volunteer job. After the recognitions and door prizes were managed we left.

Award in hand, city ready for Arbor Day

Our day was not finished. We drove part-way home when rain started to fall heavily. We came upon a highway mishap involving eight automobiles strewn in several directions. State Highway Patrol cars warned us with blue and red lights, about eight of them. Oh, my. By the time we rolled into town, it was obvious that a tornado had gone through. Damages to store fronts and no electricity made that clear.

Here we are now in the week which brings Arbor Day, April 26. The Bucyrus Tree Commission is ready. We would like to urge the community to join us as we plant trees at the elementary school and the high school. We have been presented with a tree by the Division of Forestry which is celebrating 75 years as a branch of ODNR.

We have formed an alliance with the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, which is providing tree seedlings to third graders secured from the Soil and Water Conservation District. The youngsters are receiving an assortment of white pine, overcup oak and red maple trees. There is an Arbor Day Proclamation from Mayor Truka which will be read at each planting.

This is our schedule for Arbor Day, tomorrow, April 26 (rain or shine):

  • 9 a.m. - Bucyrus Elementary School. School representatives join commission members to plant a "Sunbeam" locust tree. Afterwards, we will move inside the building for seedling presentations with the garden club.

  • 11 a.m. - The tree commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Division of Forestry will be planted at Aumiller Park near the pool with division representatives and commission members.

  • 1 p.m. - Bucyrus High School (east lawn beyond the drive). Student representatives and staff join commission members to plant an "October Glory" maple tree.

Please know you are invited to be with us at one or more of the celebrations throughout the day. This is a tradition which will continue in this city.

After viewing the damages in town, in the park, on the golf course and on many residential properties, it is apparent that planning lies ahead for the Bucyrus Tree Commission.

Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth grade teacher.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus to mark Arbor Day after again being named a Tree City USA

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