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Tree City USA

arbor day
East Hartford Mayor Leclerc Celebrating Arbor Day at Pitkin School

East Hartford is proud to be a Tree City USA community! The Town has held this designation since 1996. Sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, The Tree City USA program was established in 1976 to provide the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand the number of their public trees.  There are more than 3,400 participating communities across the United States. You can learn more about the program at their website.

What does Tree City USA Entail?

To qualify as a Tree City USA community, East Hartford meets four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department (our Beautification Commission), having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day.  Each year, the Mayor and members of the Town’s Beautification Commission join with students at one of the Town’s elementary schools to plant a tree and shrub in celebration of Arbor Day. 

arbor dayArbor Day display at the Silver Lane Elementary School, April 2019.

Plant Trees to Help the Environment

arbor dayThe benefits of trees are many and well established. Trees slow climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen. They help to cut energy consumption by providing shade. They beautify neighborhoods and boost property values.  Learn more about the benefits of planting trees at the Arbor Day Foundation’s website:  https://www.arborday.org/trees/treefacts/  The Foundation also has helpful tips on how to plant and care for your own trees:  https://www.arborday.org/trees/index-planting.cfm

Protecting Connecticut’s Landscape

arbor day                                                                                   Mayor Leclerc plants a tree with students at the Silver Lane Elementary School. April, 2019.

Trees are integral to Connecticut’s landscape and are responsible for New England’s spectacular autumn foliage.  Connecticut is one of the most heavily forested states, with nearly 60% of its land area covered by trees.  You can learn more about the efforts to protect Connecticut’s forest resources at the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s website:  

2019 Arbor Tree Planting & Celebration:
The Town Celebrated Arbor Day with a Tree Planting Ceremony and Assembly at the Silver Lane Elementary School this year.Thank you to the East Hartford Beautification Commission & Pitkin School for Helping us make this event a success.

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