City of Joplin plans tree giveaway

(From the City of Joplin)

In recognition of Arbor Day, the City of Joplin invites Joplin residents to receive a complimentary tree on Friday, April 7, 2017. A variety of beautiful trees specifically selected to aid in reforestation efforts in Joplin will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, following a brief program during the event highlighting the many benefits that trees provide our community.

The program will be held at 11 a.m. at the Arboretum in Landreth Park, and will conclude with Joplin Mayor Mike Seibert presenting a Proclamation naming April 7, 2017 as Arbor Day for the City of Joplin. City officials will be joined by members of Empire District Electric Company and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in this Arbor Day event.

Trees and seedlings will be given away near the north pavilion at Landreth Park immediately following the program through 2:30 p.m., or while supplies last. Arborist Mike McDaniel with the City of Joplin, along with representatives of the City’s Tree Advisory Board, MDC, and Empire foresters will be on hand to provide information about the importance of planting the right tree in the right place. In addition, Empire customers who had reserved a tree online through the utility’s website during March and selected Joplin as the pick-up locationmay pick up their tree during this event from 12:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Empire District will also host a tree planting in the Joplin Utility Arboretum in Landreth Park to commemorate this day. The Arboretum was first introduced in 2010, with dozens of attractive tree plantings chosen for a special purpose – as a demonstration site where customers can see living examples of proper tree selection and placement in relation to power and utility lines. This unique educational tool illustrates how the right tree, planted in the right place can enhance the safe and reliable operation of utilities while encouraging a healthy urban forest. The arboretum was developed by Empire.

The event will also celebrate Joplin’s status as a Tree City USA and Empire’s seventh year as a Tree Line USA utility, as recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation. To become a Tree City USA, a city must initiate standards that address management and care of public trees, commit to a community forestry program, and participate in an event to provide education about proper tree care. To receive the Tree Line USA designation, a utility must follow quality tree care standards, provide annual worker training, and participate in tree planting, public education and tree-based energy conservation efforts.

For more information about the City’s Tree City USA program, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 417-627-8879. For information about Empire’s vegetation management program and utility arboretum projects, go to www.empiredistrict.com/trees.