Brian Hagberg
WARREN, Pa. – The City of Warren held its 33rd annual Arbor Day Observance by planting a maple tree near Wetmore Park Friday.
The city was also designated as a Tree City USA for the 33rd year and celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the creation of the Street Landscape Committee. The Street Landscape Committee is responsible for organizing the annual Arbor Day Observance.
“The city DPW plants the tree, and the Street Landscape Committee dedicates it,” Street Landscape Committee Chairperson Josie Gerardi said.
The Warren Garden Club plays an integral role in the observance as well.
“The Garden Club, as well as the Street Landscape Committee, go hand-in-hand at this,” Gerardi said. “The Garden Club actually furnishes the money for the purchase of the tree.”
The tree, planted in front of 311 Market Street, is an Acer freemanii “Autumn Blaze.” It’s also known as a Freeman (or Freeman’s) Maple and is a cross between Acer rubrum and Acer saccharinum.
Warren Mayor Maurice Cashman issued a proclamation commemorating April 30, 2021, as Arbor Day.
“I urge all citizens to appreciate and recognize the value of our trees and woodlands,” Cashman said. “Further I urge all citizens to plant trees to promote the well-being of this and future generations.
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Cornplanter District Manager Cecile Stelter read the designation of Warren as a Tree City USA.
“I am pleased to present the designation of Tree City USA to the City of Warren for the 33rd year,” Stelter said. “Special thanks to the Warren Street Landscape Committee and Warren Garden Club for all of their time and effort in helping support and maintain the Tree City USA designation for 33 years, which is one of the longest-tenured in Pennsylvania.”
Regionally, only Titusville has held the designation longer than Warren . . . by one year.
Stelter said the past year has made people realize how vital trees are.
“After the year that we’ve all survived through,” Stelter said. “I think even more people after being all cooped up, really appreciate how important all of our natural resources, especially our trees, are to making our lives healthier.
City of Warren Department of Public Works Director Mike Holtz presided over the “planting” of the tree.
“It’s just a credit that through 33 years, with several mayors and several (City) Councils that the community still values trees,” Holtz said.
