>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

For 18 years, the city of La Grande has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation for the city’s commitment to community forestry.

Recently, La Grande was notified it has also been honored with the Tree City USA Growth Award For 2007. Both awards will be officially presented by the Oregon Department of Forestry during Wednesday’s city council meeting. 

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, criteria to merit the “prestigious growth award ... recognizes environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities.”

To be considered, Tree Cities must show progress in four key areas:

• Education and public relations

• Continuing education for tree managers

• Tree planting and maintenance

• Street tree planting

Although National Arbor Day is not until April 25, Oregon chooses to celebrate earlier with Arbor Week. This year it is April 6-12. However, La Grande’s observances will coincide with National Arbor Day due to the unpredictable Eastern Oregon spring weather, according to Teresa Gustafson, the tree care educator for the La Grande Parks Department.

Gustafson said La Grande’s Urban Forestry Program and the Community Landscape and Forestry Commission have planned several Arbor Day activities.

On April 23, a special tree planting will take place outdoors at Heidi Ho Preschool on Sixth Street. On April 25, a ceremonial tree planting by Union County commissioners at the county administration building on K Avenue will feature the first replacement of old trees removed earlier this month. The city crew will plant the additional trees, wrapping them around the block and lining the opposite side of the street where the law enforcement building is located, Gustafson said.

“We will probably be putting about half of them in this spring and the other half this fall,” she said.

The 54 new trees include a variety of big shade trees, smaller trees to go under power lines as well as some flowering varieties.

Last, but not least, the annual spring street tree planting is set for April 26. Gustafson said crews will be planting new trees in rights of way throughout the city. Although only a limited number of these free trees are still available for planting, anyone who wishes to purchase their own tree for a right of way planting April 26 may seek assistance and planting advice by calling Gustafson at 962-1352, ext. 204.