Arbor Day celebration is a learning opportunity

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Anyone desiring instruction on the best way to plant a tree should attend the Arbor Day celebration in Lakefront Park on Saturday, April 30, according to Ken Holman, one of the organizers of the event.

A tree-planting demonstration is one of several learning activities scheduled for the event that will begin at 9:40 a.m. with a musical prelude by a string ensemble from the Hudson schools.

There will be a display on hand to help homeowners identify the destructive emerald ash borer beetle, a demonstration by St. Croix Tree Service on how to fall a tree safely and a presentation by the Artful Rain Garden group on rain barrels.

St. Croix Tree Service will also show how to inject a tree to protect it from the ash borer.

Hudson school forest representatives will talk about what they’re up to, Smoky Bear will wander the park, and there will be a drawing for some free trees.

“We hope a variety of residents attend, especially young families and homeowners with a new yard who want to restore landscape and take advantage of the learning opportunities,” said Holman.

Holman is a member of the city’s Urban Forestry Board, which is organizing the celebration being held a day after the official Arbor Day.

Also the head of Minnesota’s Urban Forestry Program, Holman knows something about trees.

He said the key message of Saturday’s event will be to encourage property owners to plant a variety of trees in order to create a more resilient urban forest — one that can’t decimated by a single pest or disease.

“Take a look at what is in your neighborhood and in your yard, and think about how you might be able to diversify,” Holman said. “The theme is to diversity our portfolio of trees.”

The event is also being held to celebrate the city’s new status as a Tree City USA.

Council President Lori Bernard will read an Arbor Day proclamation at 10 a.m., followed by remarks from John Hoggatt, chair of the Urban Forestry Board, and the planting of a ceremonial tree.

The demonstrations and children’s activities will follow.

Volunteers will be planting trees and mulching existing young trees in and near the park.

Tags: announcements, events, outdoors, hudson