City of Lavonia Sets Date to Celebrate Arbor Day

The City of Lavonia is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation and this year they plan to celebrate Arbor Day on Thursday, February 23.

A tree planting ceremony will be held on the 23rd at the Lavonia Ball Fields on Bear Creek Road at 2p, weather permitting.

In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be held at Lavonia City Hall and the tree planted later.

Lavonia was named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

Lavonia achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation tells WLHR News trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Labe said trees help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

Again, Lavonia will celebrate Arbor Day on Thursday, February 23 at 2p at the Lavonia Ball fioelds and the public is invited to attend.

For more information on the Tree City USA program you can go online to arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.