William C. "Bill" Dusch | City of Concord website
William C. "Bill" Dusch | City of Concord website
Concord, Nov 1 2023 - City leaders recently came together to celebrate Arbor Day in Concord by engaging in a tree-planting initiative at Les Myers Park. Mayor Bill Dusch and City Manager Lloyd Payne marked the occasion by planting a Shumard Oak and a Star Magnolia.
The Star Magnolia was purchased by students and staff at W.R. Odell Elementary School through the city’s Memorial Tree Program. City Manager Payne had interacted with the students earlier in the year, where they expressed concerns about preserving the tree canopy amidst the city's growth and development efforts. Payne highlighted the role of residents in reducing tree loss through participation in the Memorial Tree Program.
Arbor Day in Concord is traditionally observed in the fall, specifically on the last Friday of October, to coincide with the optimal tree planting season for the Southeast United States. Concord’s Arborist, Bill Leake, emphasized the importance of community involvement in tree planting, stating, "Everyone can help offset the loss of tree canopy by planting new trees in the right place and encouraging preservation of mature urban forests."
Leake further stressed the significance of strategic tree planting, saying, "Planting the right tree in the right place gives it the best chance of survival and the best chance for our community to reap its many benefits." In a recent Energy Saving Trees event, Leake provided residents with valuable tips on tree planting, care, and maintenance to promote tree growth and survival.
In collaboration with All Saints Episcopal Church, the Arbor Day Foundation, and Carolina Power Partners, the City of Concord distributed 300 free trees to homeowners. The collective impact of planting and maintaining these trees could lead to significant community benefits, including energy savings, carbon sequestration, stormwater runoff capture, and air pollutant filtration.
The tree giveaway and planting events were also a tribute to Concord's achievement of earning the Tree City USA designation for the fourth consecutive year.
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