By Margaret Scoles

On May 14, Tree Board members Don Birkholz, Kelda Page, Kathy Roberts, and Margaret Scoles planted a Haralred apple tree at the Fire Department Hall to replace a recently removed, diseased green ash tree, with the assistance of town employees Donna Wilson and Raymond Ragsdale.

The Arbor Day celebration was delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Arbor Day was initially set for April 24, the traditional Arbor Day date, with a proclamation signed months ago by Mayor M. Lyman Amsden.

Don Birkholz and Kathy Roberts, Tree Board, and Donna Wilson, Town of Broadus, planting the tree. (Photo courtesy Margaret Scoles)

Typically celebrated with students at the elementary school, the pandemic changed Arbor Day plans this year. The Broadus Tree Board celebrated its 21st year with a subdued event after Phase 1 re-opening began. The Board is looking forward to renewed plans for tree planting with students along the walking path at Hill Park in 2021. Projects for this year include expanded caging to protect a row of small junipers. Since 1999, hundreds of trees have been planted, caged, mulched, pruned, and watered in Broadus through the use of the Arbor Day grants.

Funds for the tree came from an Arbor Day grants from the DNRC. Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.

National Arbor Day was founded in Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton in 1872. An estimated million trees were planted on that first Arbor Day.

The Tree Board exists to encourage the planting and care of trees, particularly those on city property. Residents of Broadus who have city trees near them that need replacing or care are encouraged to let the Town of Broadus office know.