ARBOR DAY IN CEDAR KEY 2021
February 6, 2021
February 6, 2021
Nearly thirty-five folks celebrated Arbor Day in Cedar Key this past Thursday, February 4, 2021. They started at 9 am, though many came as early as 8 am, and worked through noon.
They came from Cedar Key, Charlottesville, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, South Carolina, and Crystal River. They read about the planting, perhaps heard about it, found it worthwhile, and came to volunteer.
Among those who helped make the day a complete pleasure were Doug Lindhout, Maggie Funchion, Patty Jett, Sally Beverage, Linda Seyfarth, Donna Thalacker, Mary Prescott, Maureen Magee, Ed DeHaan, Mac Cox, DeeAnna Brooks, Mike Kropp, Jim Walsch, John Lewis and his wife, and more. Cedar Key News regrets not recording each and every name.
The day was a perfect Cedar Key winter day: fluffy white clouds, 60-ish degrees, little wind, light breeze. What a day in which to be outside and labor for something meaningful. This group transformed four areas in Cedar Key with their plantings.
CEDAR KEY CEMETERY ENTRANCE
Eight Quercus geminata Oaks, between three and four feet tall, now line the walkway from the Cemetery entrance to the right.
CEDAR KEY CEMETERY FLAGPOLE BASE
The group formed a planter of sorts at the flagpole base. Fittingly, they filled half with shells and the other half in beautiful, Muhly Grass starts. The grass grows to a showy, fluffy purple. The flagpole area now also sports a Bonsai Blue Jacaranda, which will flourish as a Poinciana tree does, huge, full, shady, and open.
The group formed a planter of sorts at the flagpole base. Fittingly, they filled half with shells and the other half in beautiful, Muhly Grass starts. The grass grows to a showy, fluffy purple. The flagpole area now also sports a Bonsai Blue Jacaranda, which will flourish as a Poinciana tree does, huge, full, shady, and open.
CEMETERY POINT PARK
Cemetery Point Park is now home to an additional 18 Quercus geminata Oaks. The Arbor Day volunteers planted some to the left of the walkway from the Cemetery back gate to Cemetery Point Park which will shade the walkway in years to come. And even more Oaks will shade the center of the Park in and around the picnic tables and the water fountain. The Oaks are planted in a graceful, curved line along the walk.
Cemetery Point Park is now home to an additional 18 Quercus geminata Oaks. The Arbor Day volunteers planted some to the left of the walkway from the Cemetery back gate to Cemetery Point Park which will shade the walkway in years to come. And even more Oaks will shade the center of the Park in and around the picnic tables and the water fountain. The Oaks are planted in a graceful, curved line along the walk.
The group also planted a host of Red Cedars near the Cemetery back gate in the Cemetery Point Park itself. Another lot of cedars were planted from the portable to the path on the north side of the Park.
G STREET
To add to the eventual shading of G Street, volunteers planted seven Cedars along the west side of the street.
To add to the eventual shading of G Street, volunteers planted seven Cedars along the west side of the street.
PREPARATION BY PUBLIC WORKS
The City of Cedar Key Public Works Department, headed by Director Michelle Peterson and her able staff, Brian Hancock and James Custer, dug the irrigation ditches and holes in which to place the trees.
The City of Cedar Key Public Works Department, headed by Director Michelle Peterson and her able staff, Brian Hancock and James Custer, dug the irrigation ditches and holes in which to place the trees.
To ensure that weed whacking does not destroy tree bark during routine maintenance, they placed bricks within easy reach of volunteers. The volunteers positioned the bricks around the tree bases as they planted them. Public works plans to fill the irrigations ditches once the water system is completed.
SCRUPULOUS PLANNING
The success of the day is due to the meticulous planning and communication between and among Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, a most supportive Cedar Key Commission, water wizard and builder Joe Hand, and a generous Tropical Traditions owner and Cedar Key resident Jim Fleming.
The success of the day is due to the meticulous planning and communication between and among Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, a most supportive Cedar Key Commission, water wizard and builder Joe Hand, and a generous Tropical Traditions owner and Cedar Key resident Jim Fleming.
The Arbor Day plan grows from Cedar Key’s long commitment to it Heritage Trees and their aged, shading canopy.
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