City receives Tree City designation

Friday, June 26, 2009
By Mike McCoy Statesman Staff Writer

Dexter has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor the city's commitment to community forestry. It is the 16th consecutive year that Dexter has received this 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.

In their release, the Arbor Day Foundation wrote that Dexter has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. The four standards are that the city has a tree board, a tree care ordinance is in place, the city has a comprehensive community forestry program and an annual Arbor Day observance which includes a proclamation by Mayor Joe Weber. Arbor Day is March 20 each year.

Dexter Tree Board Chairman Wayne Jean said the board takes an active role in the community. The board holds a tree sale each spring with the proceeds used to fund Tree Board activities. They also observe Arbor Day with a mayor's proclamation and the planting of tree seedlings at the elementary schools in Dexter. The Tree Board sponsors the Yard of the Month program in the Dexter area during the summer months as well. Other board members are Bennetta Harrellson, Herman Morse, Connie Blackwell, Lorene Thomason and Donn Beighley.

Dexter has the distinction of having three trees that are recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as being either the oldest or the biggest of a particular variety of tree, according to Jean. The Post Oak on Chautauqua Street is the oldest of its kind and a Shaggy Bark Hickory off Hickory Street is the biggest of its kind. Another tree that has garnered recognition is a Bartrum Oak in the eastern part of the city. The Bartrum Oak in Dexter is the largest of the naturally occurring hybrid tree to be found by the Arbor Foundation, Jean said.

The Arbor Day Foundation celebrated the 137th anniversary of Arbor Day this year.

The release from the foundation noted that communities that receive Tree City USA recognize that trees promote healthier communities by filtering air and removing dust particles; trees moderate climate, conserve water and provide habitat for wildlife; trees in urban areas reduce the heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings; and properly placed trees can increase property values.

"A community, its elected officials and its citizens that provide 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, and 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."

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The trees are definitely the most important factor in Dexter's beauty. The city needs always to promote them at every opportunity. It's what makes Dexter unique.

-- Posted by goat lady on Fri, Jun 26, 2009, at 2:08 PM

many of the trees in town are a problem and they need to be either trimmed or in some cases even cut down. Busted sidewalks,roots in sewer lines, and power outages from fallen limbs are a few of the problems they can,and do,cause

-- Posted by downboy on Sat, Jun 27, 2009, at 11:52 PM

downboy....are you, by chance, not from Dexter originally? Why would you cut down a tree that may be several hyndred years old just because a couple of pieces of sidewalk are pushed up? Utilities are supposed to keep limbs clear of powerlines. Can't help you with your sewer...or was that a general statement that may or may not be accurate?

-- Posted by Bearcat72 on Sun, Jun 28, 2009, at 8:16 AM

I agree, Bearcat72, and I'm not even from Dexter. I've seen so many towns where the powers-that-be have a "Tear down the old/Build up the new" attitude with all old structures, whether they're trees or buildings. Those towns are ugly and without soul or history. I hope that never happens to Dexter.

-- Posted by goat lady on Mon, Jun 29, 2009, at 8:31 AM

goatlady...I no longer live in Dexter but I lived there every single day until I went into the Marine Corps. Someday I will move back. It's not a matter of IF...but only WHEN. I love the town and I cherish every memory...and that includes that GIANT Oak Tree we used to play on at during recess the Central Elementary School playground. It was right on the corner in the old Dexter Armory field...(also our playground). You could walk all the way around the tree on the root "knees" that were sticking up out of the ground.

-- Posted by Bearcat72 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009, at 11:53 AM

I think the people of Dexter are the most important factor in its beauty. Just when you are focusing on all the bad, you realize this community is full of generous, kind people overall. The trees don't hurt, although we found out this winter that they do need trimmed back a bit and mother nature helped us out there a bunch.

Still ludicrous to think we have to have a Tree board and meet 4 criteria so that some numbnut group can come in and tell us our community is GREAT. I could have done that without a Foundation. Would also be interested in how Mr. Rosenow is paid?

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Jul 1, 2009, at 10:38 AM