Janis Lee, Hays Beautification Committee

The city of Hays has earned the honor of being named a Tree City USA again this year for the 36th year in a row.

The Tree City USA program is a national program that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America. Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting the four core standards of: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.

Communities participating in the Tree City USA program have demonstrated a commitment to caring for and managing their public trees. Together the more than 3,400 Tree City USA communities serve as home to more than 135 million Americans. The Tree City USA designation demonstrates to residents, visitors, and prospective residents that trees, conservation and the environment are an important part of life in our community. Pride in public trees also leads to more engaged residents and better care for new and existing trees on private property.

The Hays Beautification Committee and the Hays Parks Department are hosting the City of Hays Arbor Day celebration to be held on Thursday, April 16, at noon at the Hays Dog Park, 1376 Highway 183 Alternate at the Bickle-Schmidt Complex, where three Accolade Elm trees will be planted.

During the program Bryan Peterson, Kansas District Forester, will present the Tree City USA award to the city and Brenda Slaughter, Prairie Garden Club, will present the Smokey Bear Poster Winner Awards.

Another Hays Beautification Committee activity conducted during April is the Redbud Tree Education project.

During the week of April 13th, each 5th grader who attends school in Hays will have the opportunity, while at school, to attend a short presentation by HBC members discussing the importance of trees in our communities. Each 5th grade student will be given an Eastern Redbud sapling with instructions on how to plant and care for the tree. Hopefully they will be able to care for and enjoy the tree for many years.

The Eastern Redbud tree is chosen for the tree presentation because it is a native of Kansas and will thrive in our relatively dry climate. The Eastern Redbud tree is a relatively small tree with spreading branches and a small short trunk. As you drive around the community you will see that the Eastern Redbud is a popular ornamental tree, which can be found in many gardens and streetscapes and is one of the earliest flowering trees and is often used to add color to gardens.

The Hays Beautification Committee emphasizes the importance of planting trees since trees contribute to the environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, preserving the soil, and controlling erosion. Most importantly, trees help create a peaceful, aesthetically pleasing environment.

When selecting a tree to be planted in Hays it is important to choose one that qualifies for the Hays Tree Rebate Program as these are trees that do well in the local climate and more arid conditions.

Brochures for the City of Hays Rebate program are available at City Hall, City Parks Department, online at www.haysusa.com or at most local retail tree businesses. These brochures list the preferred trees that are eligible for the rebate and detail the Hays Beautification Committee’s Tree Rebate Program.
Don’t forget to mark noon April 16, 2015, on your calendar and come celebrate Arbor Day with us at the Hays Dog Park.

For questions or comments regarding anything discussed in this article contact the Hays Parks Department at (785) 628-7375.

Janis Lee is a member of the Hays Beautification Committee.