Moultrie plants a small tree in a big way for Arbor Day

MOULTRIE, Ga. – Southwest Georgia celebrated Arbor Day today.

In Moultrie Friday morning, a group of community leaders gathered to plant a river birch tree in recognition of the holiday.

Along with Arbor Day, Moultrie is celebrating 31 years of meeting the standards necessary to be declared a Tree City USA community.

That recognition is given to communities that have tree departments, ordinances, programs and that celebrate Arbor Day.

The mayor says he’s proud of Moultrie for holding that title for so long he says, “We’re a community that values our trees and values the health benefits of trees and the esthetics that trees add to our communities. So it’s just a happy day that we come and celebrate trees.”

Northwest Park’s new river birch

In part, this species of tree was chosen for of its tolerance to wetness and the city chose this particular park to be the tree’s new home to add to the park’s ongoing development and beautification.

Northwest Park is undergoing a major facelift, the city is adding in basketball courts, light fixtures and a picnic area as well. And in time, the residents of Moultrie will have an almost 100 foot river birch providing them shade.

Mayor McIntosh thanks the citizens for being a part of the city’s continued development and says moving forward, “we welcome anyone to come out, see the tree, see the area and see what [the] city’s doing.”