In appreciation of the trees of the Fresno and Clovis counties, city arborist Jeff Wooten, left, organizes an Arbor Day event with his friends and co-workers to witness the planting of a new tree, outside of Clovis City Hall, March 13. Before he planted the tree, Wooten described the importance of planting trees in the city.

“Trees provide so many benefits,” Wooten said. “They store water, control water, produce oxygen, and offer shade on a hot day.”

The City of Clovis wants to become a Tree City USA community. And, according to Eric Aller, Clovis parks manager, a community must hold its own Arbor Day each year with a tree planting ceremony. Clovis will commemorate its own Arbor Day on the second Saturday in March.

Wooten continued to discuss that the community is responsible for making sure the earth stays as clean as possible.

In addition, he gave the Arbor Day Stewardship Award to city arborist Joseph O’Brian, right. He has been employed as an arborist since 1979, and was promoted to a lead worker in ’83.

After the award was given, Wooten dug a hole to plant a new tree in. As he did so, he quoted American writer and Poet Alfred Joyce Kilmer: “Let us go forth, and plant trees!”

Clovis Mayor Harry Armstrong spoke at the event and two trees were planted.

A Tree City USA community must also dedicate 2 percent of its parks budget to the upkeep of its trees in order to qualify.

For more information on Fresno County’s beautification, read the March 27 article, “Outdoor enthusiasts praise Blossom Trail” and Spring is in the air.