NATIONAL ARBOR DAY was celebrated at Owosso City Hall last Saturday morning with the planting of four, immature crab apple trees. The new trees replace the previous ones, which were removed last year due to both age and disease, but the new trees are slightly offset from the originals due to the remaining root systems in the ground. Crab apples are popular because they are compact and provide colorful blossoms in the spring.
Several volunteers along with city officials, including Mayor Ben Frederick and County Commissioner Hartmann Aue, helped with the planting of the trees on the small rise in front of city hall facing Main St. Many will recall that trees were planted at Owosso Elementary Schools in honor of Arbor Day over recent years.
The young, Red Jewel crab apple trees came from Sunburst Gardens on North St. in Owosso.
Arbor Day dates back to 1872 when an estimated one million trees were planted in Nebraska. National Arbor Day is now celebrated in April every year, generally with the observance of one or more trees being planted. The Arbor Day Foundation became a 501 nonprofit conservation and education program in 1972. (Independent Photo/Karen Mead-Elford)
