The trees arrived by truck in the early morning hours, with Liberty volunteers unloading hundreds of redbud, red maple, shortleaf pine, white dogwood, and hophornbeam saplings that had been reserved by residents for this year’s giveaway.
“The trees come from a nursery up by St. Louis,” said Jason Grossman, Liberty’s Manager of Vegetation Management. “We select species that are mostly compatible with power lines, as well as shade trees for energy efficiency.”
Very important where you plant them, it is.
Deciduous trees planted on the east or west side of your home can provide shade during the hot summer months while allowing sunlight to warm the house during the winter months, Grossman said. Evergreen trees planted on the north side can provide a wind break from the cold, northerly winds of winter.
This year’s event also included booths hosted by local organizations, live music, a recycled art contest, and a Star Wars-themed costume contest.
“We would like to proclaim that this day is our Earth Day at Wildcat Park, along with all of our other partners,” said Robin Standridge, Executive Director of the Wildcat Glades Nature Group, during a brief presentation. “I want to encourage each and every one of you to do your part. I love that our theme this year is that we’re returning native species back to our landscape. We’re restoring the habitat next to (Shoal Creek), and we’re seeing species of birds come back to this area as well as native plants just with some really simple efforts.”
As part of the program, Wildcat Glades staff recognized Liberty for earning the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Line USA designation. To be considered, utilities must meet five standards: Quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting and public education, formal tree-based energy conservation, and sponsorship of/participation in an Arbor Day celebration.
Jon Skinner, Community Forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation, noted that Liberty has been recognized by the Tree Line USA program for the past 15 years.
“The requirements for earning this award include pruning in a certain way in residential areas, providing tree-planting opportunities, providing education to their customers, and sponsoring events like this,” he said. “They also train their own staff on how to care for trees in a way that’s beneficial to us while having safe, reliable electricity coming to our homes.
"They’re one of only 10 utilities in our state (to receive this recognition), which is a pretty significant achievement.”
Click here to learn more about the Tree Line USA program.