A Tree City USA Northwest Ohio celebration

When communities in Northwest Ohio came together May 11 to celebrate efforts in urban forestry, Bucyrus Tree Commission members were present. Hosts for this year’s Tree City USA ceremony were the cities of Findlay, Ottawa, Arcadia and the University of Findlay.

Each host city shared a short PowerPoint presentation highlighting their efforts in urban forestry. Findlay invited tree cities to the Old Mill Stream Centre on the Hancock County Fairgrounds in Findlay.

The Arbor Day Foundation and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources recognized the efforts of many cities which have continued working on master plans through a tree commission with support and cooperation from city officials including councils.

Bucyrus marks 5 years as a Tree City USA

These city tree commissions promote the observance of Arbor Day, remove trees which lack health, undertake the planned planting of trees in tree lawn areas and maintain them. Bucyrus is young in the game but has reached five years in the effort. Reports which are filed contain meeting minutes, publicity for Arbor Day including a proclamation from the mayor, tree installation and maintenance including watering, learning to prune young trees, removing stumps and utilizing the recycling of the materials through composting.

There is a so much more to this process. Our local efforts have been supported by Stephanie Miller, ODNR Division of Forestry. In her position as regional urban forester, she sends out weekly information about workshops and schooling to improve the focus on urban forestry in many communities.

Bucyrus has had special events to move this energy forward. For instance, the Bicentennial year brought the creation of Norton Grove, a family tribute established in Aumiller Park. This was expanded when trees were planted for each of the 12 children.

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The Cathcarts of Bucyrus Railcar pledged funding to plant 200 trees supporting the Bicentennial year. This provided an opportunity to offer residents a chance to opt for a tree to be planted on their own property’s tree lawn. This has been initiated and will continue. Planning for the future by commission members is done with purpose and vision to insure a tree canopy and many other benefits.

150th anniversary of Arbor Day

The Bucyrus City school children at the elementary and high school buildings joined tree commission members in observing the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day.

On Veterans’ Day, 2021, 100 years after an American elm tree had been planted as a memorial on Mary and West Mansfield streets, the Bucyrus Tree Commission planted a shingle oak to replace the original elm, involving schoolchildren and veterans.

And so, on May 11, the members of the Bucyrus Tree Commission were presented a five-year plaque to honor Bucyrus for five years as a Tree City USA. The event provided encouragement.

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: Over the Garden Fence: Bucyrus recognized for being a Tree City USA