SOUTH PORTLAND — Arbor Week in South Portland was May 16-22, but people can still participate through a seedling giveaway scheduled for May 22.
The South Portland City Council made a proclamation recognizing the week on May 11, being the 40th year the city has done so, making South Portland recognized as a Tree City USA certified city, according to a memo from Karl Coughlin, interim director of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront.
“Tree City USA is a National program administered by the Arbor Day Foundation in which communities across the country must achieve standards to be certified under the program,” said news release. “The City of South Portland has a proud tradition of 40 consecutive years of meeting the standards and receiving certification as a Tree City USA community. To receive this certification, the community must recognize Arbor Week through way of proclamation.”
South Portland is one of 20 Maine communities listed as a 2020 Tree City USA, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.
South Portland Land Trust hosted its second annual cedar seedling giveaway May 15 in Mill Creek Park. Additional seedlings will be available for community members at the Community Garden Collective’s Plant Sale Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. The sale is located at Hamlin Community Garden, 496 Ocean St., behind the city planning office. Courtesy photo
Other organizations are recognizing Arbor Week, including the South Portland Land Trust, said Richard Rottkov, president. The land trust is giving away cedar seedlings on Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hamlin Community Garden at 496 Ocean St.
This is the second year that the land trust has given away 2,000 seedlings, provided by CedarWorks in Rockport, to the community, according to a press release.
“Commonly known as American arborvitae, Eastern white cedar, or Northern white cedar, this common tree is native to eastern United States and Canada,” said the land trust. “Cedars are often used for hedging or as a windbreak, but can also be planted as a standalone landscape focal point. Cedars grow best in areas that receive at least six hours of direct sun each day. A fully grown cedar will span 10 to 15 feet and can attain a height of 40 to 60 feet. As a native tree, cedars provide food and shelter for many bird species.”
The initial giveaway took place on May 15, but there are leftovers, Rottkov said. The land trust will plant seedlings as a buffer for Clark’s Pond Trail.
Rottkov said the seedlings are about 18 inches tall.
“It’s also National Invasive Species Week as well,” Rottkov said. The land trust is asking that people take time to read about non-native invasive species, which can be found at southportlandlandtrust.org.
Maine Audubon celebrated its first Arbor Week this year, said Eric Topper in an article on the organization’s website. A variety of speakers held presentations through the week.
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