“Grow Tree Grow”
Ellicottville Central School Celebrates Arbor Day

Ellicottville recognized an 18 year tradition started by Jody Bentley Ellicottville’s “Tree City USA” representative continued last Friday May 1st when the kindergarten students at ECS helped plant a Catalpa Speciosa tree in honor of Arbor Day. The tree, now in infancy, will grow and blossom along with the students who helped plant it. This was a special year for ECS Alumni class of 2002, Jason Kenyon, one of the first alumni of the tree planting ceremony, now is employed by Professional Landscape Maintenance and assisted in the planting. PLM has donated time and energy to the yearly planting of Arbor Day trees at ECS in order to educate our future citizens on the importance of trees in the community.
Ellicottville NY has, once again, been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry. It is the 28th year Ellicottville has received national recognition.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

Ellicottville has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day Observance.

Communities that receive Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet these four standards, they recognize that trees promote healthier communities. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles. Trees moderate climate, conserve water and provide habitat for wildlife. Trees in urban areas reduce the heat island effect caused by pavements and buildings. Properly placed trees can increase property values, and surveys show that buildings in wooded areas rent more quickly and tenants stay longer.

“A community, its elected officials and its citizens that provide needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks,” said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation “Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, plus they also provide environmental and economical benefits. Cities that are recognized with a Tree City USA designation go to great lengths to plant and care for the community forest.”