Trees feted for beauty and purpose

Arbor Day in Glendale dawned cool and cloudy. But that didn’t stop members and guests of Glendale Beautiful from presenting their 61st annual Arbor Day Celebration at Casa Adobe de San Rafael on March 1. Several dozen tree-lovers gathered to pay homage to the ecological efforts of Glendale Beautiful in cooperation with Glendale Community Services and Parks.

The program focused on the city’s restoration efforts at Deukmejian Wilderness Park to replace the trees destroyed in the Station fire. According to Trails and Open Spaces Specialist Jeff Weinstein, 50 trees have been planted at the park so far. More restoration efforts include wilderness work days, seed collecting, volunteer watering and weeding, developing a plant nursery for schoolchildren and establishing an overnight youth camp—no camp fires allowed. The Sierra Club will donate water tanks to be placed at the higher elevations that can’t be easily reached by fire-control personnel.

An Arbor Day Proclamation given by Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian to Glendale Beautiful President Mary Rose Grim was a program highlight. The Tree City USA and Growth Award was given to the city and was accepted by City Manager Jim Starbird. This is the 26th year the city has been the recipient of the award. Glendale is filled with 40,000 trees supported by residents who are assessed an annual $2 per capita fee, contributing to the city’s tree-friendly reputation.

The bulk of the festivities was devoted to the presentation of Arbor Day certificates to those donating trees to Glendale in recognition or in memory of a special person. Fifteen gallon-sized trees cost $45 and a 24-inch boxed tree costs $150. Several of those recognized for their generosity included Arbor Day Chair Gladys Wymore, who donated a tree in memory of her late husband Jim Wymore. Local Realtor Sue Eller donated a tree honoring longtime Glendale resident Shirley Darling.

Glendale Beautiful Immediate Past President Doyle Kutch presented a $600 check to Jess Duran, acting director of the city’s Community Services and Parks, to be used for the purchase of trees. In total, more than 90 trees were donated to Glendale in recognition of Arbor Day.

The city is asking for volunteers to water and weed the newly planted trees in Deukmejian Wilderness Park on March 19.

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