Help Tyler thrive by planting trees and building pride

Published 3:45 pm Friday, November 22, 2024

Arbor Day is typically held in January, but the City of Tyler moved the date to November to coincide with the optimal tree-planting season in Texas.

In celebration, the city will plant 38 trees on Saturday at Noble E. Young Park, 3125 Seaton St. Registered participants can expect favorable weather, free T-shirts and lunch and the give away one gallon potted tree saplings. WalkUps are welcome, although giveaways won’t be guaranteed.

“Kids can come out and plant a tree, and go back to that park when they’re older and see the tree doing well, and remember that they planted that tree,” said Luke Alfaro, city of Tyler urban forester and arborist.

The Tyler Trees Committee and the City of Tyler Urban Forestry Division is hosting the event as part of holding the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA status, which the city has held for 15 years.

The long-term benefits of a tree-planting event for the community are significant, according to the Arbor Day Foundation website. It improves the environment and builds pride and unity among residents.

Being a Tree City USA community shows a commitment to sustainability and makes the city a more attractive place to live. When people come together to plant and care for trees, it creates a sense of shared responsibility and educates them on the importance of trees in everyday life. It can strengthen the community and make the city feel more like home.

The park will benefit from added tree cover after losing several trees to severe weather.

“Noble E. Young was one that I’ve been eyeing for a little bit now. We didn’t go there last year, but I decided it was a park that could use some trees,” Alfaro said. “There are a lot of benefits to trees.”

Planting trees in November or December allows roots to be established before summer, improving water and nutrient uptake.

“The summer in East Texas can be pretty brutal for us and trees alike,” Alfaro said.

By planting trees strategically where they won’t cause problems in the future, the additions provide shade, intercept rainfall to slow erosion and increase property value and aesthetics.

Bur oaks, white oaks, red oaks and Shumard oaks are excellent planting options in Texas. Cedar elms and magnolias thrive in Texas. Smaller varieties like Little Gem and larger southern magnolias are popular choices.

“Avoiding certain trees that can have issues in the future. If anybody’s interested in getting a kind of comprehensive list of what we recommend, they can reach out to me and I can send that list over to them,” Alfaro said.

After planting a tree, he advises applying a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base in a circle, avoiding direct contact with the trunk. For mature trees, regularly check for changes or signs of distress. If by spring, the tree hasn’t leafed out while others have, consider contacting a certified arborist to assess its health and options.

Tree health can be complex, with issues varying widely between individual trees. Regular monitoring is important — checking if the crown is full and healthy, the leaves are green and the tree leafed out on time.

Common problems include lawn equipment damage, soil compaction and construction impacts, especially in urban areas where roots struggle to absorb water and nutrients. Overuse of fertilizers can also cause harm. For unusual signs or changes, consulting a certified arborist ensures proper care and assessment.

For participants, there are two parking lots at Noble E. Young, one off Seaton Street and the other off Towne Park Drive. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and they’ll get started planting around 10:45 a.m.

For more information on the Arbor Day Foundation and the Tree City USA program, visit ArborDay.org/TreeCityUSA. To learn about the Tyler Trees Committee, visit TreeTyler.com or contact the urban forester at Forestry@TylerTexas.com or 903-533-2079.