A dozen dawn redwood trees will be planted along a section of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail that runs through the Maidenhead Meadows Park on April 27 in recognition of Arbor Day, according to Lawrence Township officials.
The trees will be dedicated at a special ceremony that has been set for 9 a.m. at Maidenhead Meadows Park. They will be planted to continue a line of trees that have already been planted along the trail.
The event is being sponsored by the Lawrence Township Shade Tree Advisory Committee.
“It will be a pleasure to attend our community’s Arbor Day event to celebrate the importance of trees,” Mayor Christopher Bobbitt said.
“Lawrence Township continues its hard work and dedication to preserve our woods and specimen trees, as well as our environment,” Mayor Bobbitt said.
Lawrence Township earned “Tree City USA” status 23 years ago by meeting four core standards of urban forestry management – maintaining a tree committee, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection began promoting Arbor Day in 1949, following the State Legislature’s designation of the last Friday in April as the day to honor trees and the people who take care of them.
Meanwhile, residents can pick up free tree seedlings at the Planning Office at the Lawrence Township Municipal Building on weekdays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The free tree seedlings are part of the New Jersey Tree Recovery Program, which helps communities replace trees that were damaged or destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.
The seedlings, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis, include instructions on how to store, care for and plant the seedlings. They should be planted within two days after pickup so the roots will not dry out.
Trees can be an asset to the town, Lawrence Township officials said. They improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood or business district, and increase property values. Trees also reduce cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide a home for wildlife.