Event stresses importance of trees


Thursday, April 5, 2007
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Event stresses importance of trees

By BARRY BURLESON
Editor

Photos by Barry Burleson

National Anthem
Saluting the flag are (from left) Lois Varnell, Bill Janssen, Jeff Ware and Boyd Moore

The Holly Springs Garden Club and guests celebrated the importance of trees Tuesday, March 20, during the 26th annual Arbor Day celebration.

The event was held at the Montrose Arboretum on Salem Avenue. The program was presented by Jeff Ware, public outreach forester with the Mississippi Forestry Commission in Tupelo.

“We depend on trees for jobs,” Ware said. “More than 150,000 Mississippians are employed in some kind of forestry industry.”

He emphasized the different things trees provide.

Tree planting
Forester Jeff Ware gets help from Marshall Academy student Shawn Cook (with shovel) in planting a tree. Also shown (from left) are Skylar Sheehy, elementary principal Diane Greer, Jake Behles and Wood Morris.

Trees give us healing.

“Patients recover faster and require less medication when they have a view of trees from their hospital room,” he said.
Trees give us recreation.

“Forest- and wildlife-based recreation accounts for millions of dollars each year into our state’s industry,” Ware said.
Trees give us peace.

“Homeowners rate their quality of life higher and report stress levels lower when living in neighborhoods with trees,” he said.
Trees give us life.

“Trees filter pollutants, provide habitat for a multitude of wildlife species and provide clean air and water,” he said.
Trees give us hope.

“Trees are memorials, gifts to recognize someone special, someone who makes a difference,” Ware said.

Arbor Day is set aside to plant trees in communities, towns, cities and schools throughout Mississippi.

At Montrose, a tulip poplar was planted in memory of Nyla Moore, given by the Mississippi Forestry Commission, and a maple tree was planted in honor of Marshall County veterans, given by Jorja Lynn, Holly Springs Garden Club president.

Lynn welcomed guests to the program, and Rev. Bruce McMillan of Christ Episcopal Church led the invocation. Leading the Pledge of Allegiance were Bill Janssen and Boyd Moore with VFW Post 5697. Music teacher Chris Mirante and sixth graders from Marshall Academy sang “God Bless America.”

Lynn introduced some special guests – Lois Varnell, National Garden Club “Patriotic Tree” chairman; Buck Hobbs, president, Marshall County Forestry Association; Janet Jolley, Mississippi State University Extension Service county director; Mary Ruth Minor, county extension secretary; Lemon Phelps, 4-H agent; Ruth Kloha, arboretum chairman, Holly Springs Garden Club; and family and friends of Nyla Moore.

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