The City of Kingsport is gearing up to mark this year's Arbor Day with a special tree planting event. As reported by the City of Kingsport, the festivities will commence at 12:30 p.m. on April 25—National Arbor Day—at John Sevier Middle School. A Red Maple tree will be planted on the school grounds, augmenting the city’s pledge to nurture its urban canopy and raise environmental awareness.
Highlighting the day's activities, city officials are expected to plant the tree near an intersection that is graced by the symbolic cross streets of Oak and Catawba and present a proclamation to acknowledge Kingsport's 39th Arbor Day celebration. "Arbor Day gives folks a chance to come together as a community, plant a few trees and help raise awareness of the importance of protecting our local environment," stated Tamra Rossi, Landscaping and Ground Maintenance Manager, as per the City of Kingsport. "Here in Kingsport, we strive to be a leader in proper management of our trees, and I think it shows every year throughout the city."
In recognition of Kingsport’s enduring commitment to urban forestry, the city is being saluted as a Tree City USA for the 39th consecutive year. This title, bestowed annually by the National Arbor Day Foundation, acknowledges the efforts of communities that fulfill four core standards: establishment of a tree board or department, implementation of a tree care ordinance, development of a comprehensive community forestry program, and the promotion of an annual Arbor Day observance.
With over 12,000 trees and more than 15 acres of landscaped areas under its care, Kingsport’s Streets and Sanitation Department is very much the backbone of the city’s green infrastructure. The department, which is responsible for the upkeep of 21 park facilities and 827 acres of open space, also manages the removal and replacement of impaired or expired trees on public properties. Furthermore, Kingsport honors its commitment to greenery through maintaining the Level II Arboretum Certification at Borden Park, supported by Domtar and Keep Kingsport Beautiful. This program, coordinated by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, serves as an educational tool on the diversity and management of different tree species.
