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Board, city celebrate Arbor Day
Mayor Henry Jolly, Ernie Ramsey, Brad Millwood, Dennis Ramsey, Sanny Wolfe and Ronnie Harris were on hand Thursday to plant three new trees at Azell-Robbs park as part of the City of Gaffney's recognition of Arbor Day. As part of a city celebration of Arbor Day, Azell-Robbs Park got a little sprucing up Thursday. Board of Public Works employees dropped by to plant three trees.
"I'm a certified arborist," said Ernie Ramsey from the Board of Public Works. "In fact, Brad Millwood is also certified and Ronnie Harris is working toward his certification. We work to be certified so we don't just go along hacking up trees to put in lines or for maintenance. Every year we re-apply for certification."
As the city of Gaffney continues park projects, the BPW employees have decided to start helping beautify the new additions by planting more and more trees. Three different varieties were planted at Azell-Robbs Park.
"These trees are a great addition to this location," said Mayor Henry Jolly. "I want to thank the Board of Public Works for their help in beautifying our great city."
City Councilman Dennis Ramsey and Sanny Wolfe, public works director for the city, were also on hand for the tree planting. The event was coordinated as part of the city's recognition of Arbor Day.
Arbor Day became a national holiday in the 1800s. J. Sterling Morton was one of thousands of setters moving West in a young America. A journalist, Morton moved to
Nebraska and soon became editor of the state's first newspaper. Given that forum, he spread agricultural information and his enthusiasm for trees to an equally enthusiastic audience.
On Jan. 4, 1872, Morton first proposed a tree-planting holiday to be called Arbor Day at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. Many presidents have declared the last Friday in April to be national Arbor Day.
"The board is the only public utility in the country to be arborist-certified," Ernie Ramsey said. "We planted a flowering plumb, a sunset maple and a weeping willow tree. We picked this park because it has the most room for the trees."
