On Monday, March 9, 2015, Georgetown took its first steps toward becoming a Tree City USA community with an organizational meeting held at the Country Inn under the direction of Susan Bean. The meeting was attended by 11 people who began making plans to fulfill the requirements of the Arbor Day Foundation to become a Tree City USA community.

There are 4 requirements that must be met to receive this honor: 1) a tree board or department; 2) a tree care ordinance; 3) a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita; 4) an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Becoming a Tree City USA community will give us the framework necessary to manage our community trees. It gives us the opportunity to teach people about the value of trees, how to select and plant trees, and the proper care of trees. A sense of community pride comes from showing others that we care about where we work and live and it demonstrates we care about our environment and conservation.

A Tree Commission of five volunteers has been created. Marty Frankenhoff of the Land & Tree Tending Company of Georgetown will serve as arborist advisor to the group. The next step is to write an outline of a village tree ordinance. Plans for the Arbor Day Celebration will also be finalized. The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 13, 2015, at 7:00 P.M., in the Georgetown Village Council Chamber. Everyone is invited to attend.

Our Arbor Day program will be held on Monday, April 20, 2015, at 7:00 P.M., place to be announced. There will be more details coming about that celebration.

For more information about Georgetown’s efforts to become a Tree City USA contact Susan Bean at utcher@aol.com. You can learn more about the program itself at http://www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/. And, like us on Facebook!