Planting for the Future: Arbor Day Celebration Begins in Garfield Park

As part of our Arbor Day Celebration activities, kids from the Teacher Workday Camp at the Statesville Recreation Center recently rolled up their sleeves and helped plant a tree in Garfield Park.

The tree selected for planting is a Dawn Redwood, a unique and fascinating species with a story all its own. Unlike most conifers, the Dawn Redwood is deciduous, meaning it sheds its needles in the fall. It is known for its soft, feathery foliage that turns a warm orange-brown before dropping each year.

The Dawn Redwood is considered a “living fossil.” It was once thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in China in the 1940s. Since then, it has been planted around the world and is valued for its fast growth, striking appearance, and ability to thrive in a variety of environments. While it is not native to North Carolina, it adapts well to our climate and can grow into a tall, stately tree that provides shade and beauty for generations to come.

This planting effort was made possible through the partnership of Statesville Public Power and City arborist Shawn Cox, who helped select the tree and prepare it for planting.

Tree planting continues to be an important part of our commitment to maintaining and enhancing our urban forest. In 2022, the City of Statesville celebrated 30 years as a recognized Tree City USA community, a designation that reflects our ongoing dedication to responsible tree care, planting, and preservation.

This tree planting is just one part of our broader Arbor Day Celebration. We invite the community to join us this Saturday for the full event, which will include Touch a Truck, activities for kids, vendors, and free tree sapling giveaways.

For full event details, visit: recreation.statesvillenc.net/arbor-day-celebration