Cedar Key became even greener, more natural, and perhaps a degree cooler and its air became cleaner this past Thursday when Cedar Key Commissioner Sue Colson and her group of helpers and fellows placed in the ground some 59 trees all around the island. Colson, indeed, seems devoted to further greening up this already lushly verdant island. Announcing Florida`s April 26 Arbor Day regularly at Cedar Key City Commission meetings and everywhere else she went, Colson articulated a fourfold vision for Cedar Key`s celebration of the event to all: - to replace the canopy over Cedar Key that has been lost in past years;
- to make the island even more beautiful with even healthier air to breathe;
- to institute a legacy of regularly replacing trees in Cedar Key annually on Arbor Day;
- to involve residents, part-time and full-time, young and old, in the Arbor Day efforts. To make this day as organized and efficient as possible, Colson spent many months preparing: taking orders for many people, ordering the trees, having them delivered to various locations about town, taking part in emptying the delivery truck, and setting up personnel and equipment to plant at each of the locations. All the holes were dug by hand with shovels by the Public Works Department personnel under the direction of Police Chief and Interim Public Works Director Virgil Sandlin. WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT Cedar Key Garden Club President Roger McDaniels and Colson began their Arbor Day at the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District office on Third Street where Administrative Secretary Anne Richburg, Plant Superintendent James McCain, General Manager John McPherson, and Operator William Quinn planted three six-foot crepe myrtle trees that will soon blossom beautifully and shade the currently barren street. The Water District personnel selected the type of tree, purchased them, and planted them; they will tend to the new arrivals` health in the time to come. "If these grow here," said McCain, "I`m going to plant some at my house." With that remark, Colson noted that her vision of an even greener Cedar Key may well be taking hold. 
William Quinn, James McCain, John McPherson, Anne Richburg, Roger McDaniels, and Sue Colson plant crepe myrtles at the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District office.
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CITY PARK Colson`s and McDaniels` next stop was the City Park where they met Cedar Key Public Works Department Crew Chief Brian Hancock and Norman Hodge who had already dug the necessary holes in which to plant new trees. First planted was a seven-foot magnolia that replaced the large, old cedar tree on the southeast corner of Second Street near the City Park sign. Two crepe myrtle trees were planted close to the park`s pavilion that will add color and shade. 
Sue Colson plants a crepe myrtle at the City Park.
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ACROSS FROM THE MARKET The southwest corner of State Road 24 and Third Street, directly across from the Market, was Colson`s next stop. There Hancock, Hodge, McDaniels, and Colson planted three cedars. Colson`s vision for the area along SR24 is to add benches, making it a pleasant place to sit and watch Cedar Key traffic roll by, with shade that will be further enhanced by the new trees. CEDAR KEY SCHOOL AND CEMETERY Hurricane Sandy damaged or destroyed cedar trees along the parking area on the south side of Whiddon in front of Cedar Key School. There the crew planted three new cedars. At the entrance to the Cedar Key Cemetery, they planted two cedars either side of the entrance gate. 
Roger McDaniels, Sue Colson, Brian Hancock, and Norman Hodge plant cedar trees at the cemetery.
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ANCHOR HOLE The Aquaculture Association`s contribution to Arbor Day was the addition of ten cedars and an oak tree at Anchor Hole. They, as did the Water and Sewer personnel, selected their trees, dug the holes, planted them, and will continue to water and care for them. The eleven new arrivals were placed on the west side of the lot with the long-term vision of that area returning to its fully native look as the south and east sides of the property currently do. 
Sue and Russ Colson plant trees at Anchor Hole.
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NEXT YEAR`S PLAN Cedar Key`s 2014 Arbor Day plans include: additional cedars at the Third Street parking lot; more oaks and magnolias; larger trees; and closer coordination with National Arbor Day and the Cedar Key Garden Club. A FULL ACCOUNTING COMING SOON Look for a full recognition of participants, donations, types of trees planted, and their locations in an upcoming article in the Cedar Key News. |
