Arbor Day celebrated with tree planting

  • This is part of the crowd who gathered to celebrate Arbor Day last Thursday outside The Art Center on West Main Street in Blue Ridge. A Serviceberry tree was planted by members of the FFA from both Fannin County High School and Middle School and 4-H club members with help from representatives of the Georgia Forestry Commission.
    This is part of the crowd who gathered to celebrate Arbor Day last Thursday outside The Art Center on West Main Street in Blue Ridge. A Serviceberry tree was planted by members of the FFA from both Fannin County High School and Middle School and 4-H club members with help from representatives of the Georgia Forestry Commission.
  • Cali Flowers stands ready to help plant the Serviceberry tree in honor of Arbor Day.
    Cali Flowers stands ready to help plant the Serviceberry tree in honor of Arbor Day.
  • FFA members taking part in the planting of the Serviceberry tree in honor of Arbor Day are, from left, Kaleighann Ware , Samantha Adkins , Skylar Gazaway, Sarah Brawley, Dakoda Moore, and Mason Ramey
    FFA members taking part in the planting of the Serviceberry tree in honor of Arbor Day are, from left, Kaleighann Ware , Samantha Adkins , Skylar Gazaway, Sarah Brawley, Dakoda Moore, and Mason Ramey
  • Samantha Adkins, left, and Sarah Brawley put the finishing touches on a Serviceberry tree planted outside The Art Center in honor of Arbor Day.
    Samantha Adkins, left, and Sarah Brawley put the finishing touches on a Serviceberry tree planted outside The Art Center in honor of Arbor Day.

    The lawn at The Art Center in Blue Ridge was crowded Thursday, February 16, for the Fannin County Arbor Day Ceremony.

    Billed as a community celebration, the event was held as a time to celebrate nature and the importance of trees.

    Ashley Hoppers, county Extension coordinator for Fannin County, spearheaded the celebration that included representatives of the Georgia Forestry Commission, students from the Fannin County High School and middle school chapters of FFA, and members of Fannin County 4-H clubs.

    A Serviceberry tree was planted in honor of Arbor Day. Hoppers said the variety planted was “Autumn Brilliance.” It has earned its name for its beautiful red fall color, while producing white flowers in the spring. The small, round berries the tree produces are a winter food source for songbirds and wildlife.

    “Since it’s a native tree, we don’t need to exercise much effort to keep this tree happy,” Hoppers said.

    The Serviceberry is a small tree that grows up to 25 feet tall and approximately 15 feet wide.

    Hoppers quizzed the crowd on the importance of Arbor Day, and read Governor Brian Kemp’s resolution recognizing the importance of the celebration in Georgia.

    Hoppers said a special thanks to the Fannin County Board of Commissioners for encouraging the event.