Juneau commemorates National Tree Trust record
Only dedicated Alaskans would plant a tree in the northern rainforest in the middle of November, but Juneau Mayor Sally Smith and John See of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources did just that.
"We're taking part in a coast to coast commemoration of The National Tree Trust's astounding milestone - 10 million trees planted across the United States since 1990," said See, urban and community forestry coordinator for Alaska's Department of Natural Resources.
To coincide with the National Tree Trust's "Branch Across America" celebration, the planting, led by See, Smith and Chris Mertl, chairman of the Juneau Tree Committee, took place on Wednesday. Juneau Tree Committee members Jane Gendron and Jeff Barnard and Terry Hinkley from the Juneau Department of Parks and Recreation, joined in the planting. The Trust calculated it would hit the 10 million mark on Nov. 21, when similar events are slated for all 50 state capitals.
A larch tree was planted in the "Millennium Grove" bordering Calhoun Street between the State Office Building and the governor's house. The grove, featuring several varieties of cherry, hawthorn, maple, cedar, beech and hemlock, is the Juneau Tree Committee's largest project to date.
"The tree is dormant and won't look like much until spring," said Mertl. "But we're happy to add it to the Millennium Grove. Our group of local citizens advocate tree planting and maintenance of existing trees in the City and Borough of Juneau. Even though we are surrounded by rainforest, we are clearing trees from our living spaces and pushing the forest further back from our developed areas. Our mission is to raise awareness that trees provide a positive living environment for our physical, aesthetic and economic well being," he said.
"Trees pay us back by retaining storm water run off, stabilizing soil to prevent erosion, absorbing pollution and providing oxygen, and creating habitat for birds and small animals," he said.
In Alaska, trees are taken for granted, but in other parts of the United States trees are not so plentiful. Each day the National Tree Trust, in its efforts to support local and regional community tree planting and education projects, plants an average of 2,283 trees. The CBJ Tree Committee is active in Arbor Day celebrations, gives away free trees, brings tree education into the schools and holds tree pruning workshops.
This week the mayor signed a proclamation honoring the National Tree Trust in reaching its milestone. "We're impressed by the work done by our local group and by the National Tree Trust which supports our efforts to further beautify our community. We're honored to plant our own tree in celebration of 10 million trees and all the volunteers who planted them," Smith said.