This year, Soddy Daisy’s Arbor Day tree planting will return to Veterans Park on Saturday, March 2, where they planted 35 shade trees last year. This year 20 flowering trees will be planted to compliment those shade trees.
Soddy Daisy officials said this year are honored to have three Vietnam veterans lead the tree selection, layout and planting effort – Gene Hyde, Robert Cothran and Harvey Anderson.
"You are invited to donate a tree in honor or in memory of someone. For a donation of $100 or more, you will receive a certificate suitable for framing and your donation will be posted on our website," officials said.
Visit
https://keepsoddydaisybeautiful.org/keep-soddy-daisy-beautiful-arbor-day-2024/ for more details.
All activities will occur at Veterans Park, 9009 Dayton Pike in Soddy Daisy.
Shedule:
• 10 a.m. Registration of volunteers
• 10:15 a.m. Everyone meets at the first tree to be planted
- Introduction of the Vietnam Veterans leading this year’s Arbor Day - Robert Cothran, Gene Hyde and Harvey Anderson
- Opening remarks (Jim Stewart, Keep Soddy Daisy Beautiful, Robert Cothran, former mayor and creator of the monument area of the park and Steve Everett, mayor)
- Two major activities for the day: Gene Hyde will describe trees to be planted and will lead a tree planting demonstration; Harvey Anderson will describe activities for previously planted trees, including
removal of stakes, straps, weeding and mulching
- Team leaders introduced
- Volunteers assigned to teams
• 10:30 a.m.-noon
- Teams proceed with two major activities described above
- Take breaks as needed; this should be fun, not hard work
- Refreshments available; lunch arrives by 11:30 a.m.
noon-12:30 p.m. - Wrap Up & Lunch
- Closing remarks
- Volunteer recognition
- Pizza lunch (Wynne Anderson)
- Distribution of Tree Memorial Certificates
- Group photos
Contact Jim Stewart to donate, volunteer, or with any questions at jim@keepsoddydaisybeautiful.org or 732-371-4953.
About the trees to be planted:
Yoshino Cherry (five) -
The Yoshino cherry (also known as the Japanese flowering cherry) is the darling of the flowering tree world and the star of such renowned events as the National and International Cherry Blossom Festivals. This stand-out tree is, of course, known for its vibrant display of white-pink blossoms and faint almond fragrance in the springtime. In the summer, this tree will be a highlight in the yard with its beautiful branching pattern, glossy bark and dark green leaves.
- Blooms March through April in a profusion of fragrant white-pink flowers
- Is deer-resistant, seldom severely damaged
- Features an unusual form with a lovely branching pattern
Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry (three) -
This serviceberry offers beauty across the seasons. In the spring, fragrant white flowers bloom, with edible blueberry-like fruits emerging in the summer. Its leaves then turn a brilliant orange and red in the fall.
- Produces fragrant white blooms in spring
- Yields 3-8" edible fruit, which attracts birds and can be used in jams andjellies
- Provides colorful foliage in fall
- Is resistant to disease
Cherokee Princess White Dogwood (two)
The show never ends with this special variety of white dogwood. The tree blooms at an earlier age than most dogwoods, producing gorgeous, bright white flowers in the spring. In the fall, its foliage turns a beautiful shade of red and purple.
- Blooms several years earlier than other dogwood varieties
- Produces white, showy blooms in spring
- Shifts to red and purple foliage in fall
- Attracts birds with fruit that matures in late summer
Winter King Hawthorn (three)
This is a dense, rounded, tree with a broad spreading crown. Gray stems are clad with glossy dark green leaves.
- Leaves turn purple to red in fall.
- Fragrant, 5-petaled, white flowers bloom in May.
- Flowers are followed by small red fruits that ripen in September and usually persist on the tree well into winter.
- Fruits are technically edible, but are usually best left for the birds. The fruit may be harvested to make jelly.
- Bark on mature trunks exfoliates to reveal orange inner bark.
Okame Cherry (seven)
This Cherry grows 15 to 25 ft. tall and 15 to 20 ft. wide and is known as a good selection for streets, parks or other public areas.
- It features rosy pink leaves which turn bronzy red to bright orange to red in fall
- The bark has a distinctive reddish brown color
- It blooms earlier than other cherries, with its mildly fragrant, 5-petaled, rosy pink flowers