Lookout Valley, Tn. recorded the first tornado on what would become a historic 2-day tornado outbreak, at 7:55am on April 27, 2011. An EF 2 tornado with winds up to 135mph, damaged buildings, uprooted hundreds of trees and left one dead. Lookout Valley continues to rebuild from that day.
Mayor Ron Littlefield will celebrate Arbor Day at the City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation’s Patten Community Center on Friday, March 2 at 2 p.
m. with the ceremonial planting of an oak tree as part of an effort to replace trees lost April 27. The celebration is open to the public. The public is invited to participate in a tree planting workday on Saturday, March 3 at 8:30 a.m. as 47 large native trees of various species will be planted at the Center, replacing over 30 lost in the tornado. No planting experience needed. Numerous holes will be pre-dug. Beginning at 9 a.m., trees will be given away to Chattanooga residents.
“We look forward to helping restore the lost canopy” said Gene Hyde, City of Chattanooga Forester. “The Chattanooga Tree Commission and I are thrilled to assist with the planting of trees as part of the storm recovery effort for Lookout Valley. Trees play an important role in our daily lives” said Mr. Hyde.
100 hardwoods will be available in 3-gallon buckets along with 300 oak and pecan seedlings from the Tennessee Division of Forestry Nursery. Trees will be handed out on a first come - first served basis and are limited to two trees per household. The tree planting is part of an effort to team with Volkswagen of North America, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Chattanooga Tree Commission and the Tiftonia Neighborhood Association to compliment the reforestation of the Center by adding shade trees.
For additional information, contact Gene Hyde at the City of Chattanooga Public Works, at 757-7283.