HAMLET - As far back as 1872 the importance of trees has been recognized in the United States.
This was the year of the first Arbor Day and it was celebrated in April. Organized in Nebraska as a day to encourage the planting of trees, it was estimated that one million trees were planted in that state on the first Arbor Day.
The goal of the Hamlet Tree & Beautification Group’s celebration on this past Friday, April 13th, was to disseminate useful facts about trees to the public and encourage the conservation of trees. Sue Furman, the treasurer for the Hamlet Tree Board, stated that when a tree is planted, we are “looking to the future.”
Some enlightening facts about trees include: they are the biggest plants on our planet; they perform numerous tasks each day that keep our earth’s ecosystem stable; just one tree can supply a full day of oxygen for four people; and, while providing oxygen is the most commonly thought of benefit of a tree, they also ensure stability of our soil, absorb harmful carbon dioxide, and yield food and shelter for the wildlife.
In attendance to help share their knowledge was a representative from the NC Forestry Department, a representative of the Richmond County Bee Keepers, and the Monroe Avenue School Conservation Rangers.
Jack Franklin, a Richmond County native, was the Forest Ranger who spoke about “trees are for bees” and that the “monoculture” or proliferation of one species of tree in Richmond County, (i.e., the Pine) not multiple species, is actually detrimental to the bee population. The bees need diversification in species of trees; Franklin suggested planting Southern Magnolia, Ornamental Cherry, Redbud, and Crabapple, since these are trees favored by bees.
Sandy Bryant from the Richmond County Bee Keepers stated “Trees need bees, bees need trees.”
Monroe Avenue is the only school in the state of NC that has a Conservation Rangers program. Consisting of 4th and 5th graders, the Rangers raise trees at the school. They planted three trees in Hamlet Park as Jack Franklin supervised. Monroe Avenue also had a poster contest, the subject of which was Arbor Day. The posters will be on display in the Hamlet Library for the next month.
The Hamlet Tree & Beautification Group meets the first Tuesday of the month at the Hamlet Public Library at 2:00.
