The City completed all requirements this month to be Tree City USA for the 13th consecutive year and a group of young Girl Scouts helped the process.
Kevin Rooney, director of the Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department, said the Lakeland Troop 10006 first- grade Girl Scout Daisies helped plant the permanent Christmas tree at IH Park in December.
The Arbor Day celebration was one of the many requirements to complete the application for the designation he said. “We must have an active Tree Board (which is the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board); a budget for tree care, planting and removal; volunteers to help with tree-related projects; tree ordinances; and an annual Arbor Day Celebration.
The program included Mr. Rooney reading the Arbor Day Proclamation and was followed by the Daises helping to plant the tree. Each received a workbook from the Arbor Day Foundation.
When planted, the tree was eight-feet tall. Mr. Rooney said it will grow about three-feet per year. “We are hoping to decorate for Christmas this year, and eventually phase out the artificial tree.”
… Photos compliments of Kathy Moore
