SEARCY — With flowers coming up and trees regaining their color after the winter months, spring is finally breaking through. Along with this reawakening of nature, the Searcy Tree Board has launched a new Donate a Tree Today program to continue re-landscaping an area along Beebe-Capps Expressway where the Tree Board is replacing Bradford pear trees with sugar maples and American hollies.
On Nov. 7, Searcy Mayor David Morris declared the day to be Arbor Day in the city, and at the Arbor Day ceremony, the Searcy Tree Board unveiled plans to replace the city’s Bradford pear trees with sugar maples and American hollies along the strip of land bordered by Spring, Mulberry and Elm streets. The current Bradford pear trees were popular when planted, but problems with the species have become apparent in recent years.
“Bradford pear was developed as kind of this perfect tree,” Richard Stafford, chairman of the Searcy Tree Board, said at the ceremony Nov. 7. “As time went on, we started noticing a few problems with them.”
The trees along Beebe-Capps Expressway are damaged and misshaped. They also pose a traffic hazard because they sit close to the road and could potentially drop limbs.
The plan that was unveiled Nov. 7 includes 13 sugar maples, 16 American hollies and several existing planting beds that are maintained by the White County Master Gardeners.
At that ceremony, residents inquired about how they could donate money toward purchasing and planting the new trees. Tree Board member Dennis Organ said the board was not prepared at that time to take donations but has recently come up with a plan that will allow interested residents to be involved in the project.
“So many people expressed an interest at that ceremony,” he said. “We took the time to research what we could do and how we could set it up to receive the money.”
The board is offering individuals, businesses and civic groups the opportunity to donate money to go toward either sugar maples or American hollies in honor or memory of individuals. A gift of $250 will cover the purchase of one tree, mulch and topsoil for the planting, a bag watering system and a 6-by-12-inch engraved granite marker.
“If we have more people who want to participate than space for the trees along Beebe-Capps, we’re looking at other areas to plant the trees,” Organ said. “It has to be on public land, and there are several options we’re looking at.”
The first sugar maple in the project — which was planted Nov. 7 — was donated by board member Sue Ekdahl in honor of the Searcy Tree Board.
The Tree Board hopes to have the project completed by 2016.
“It’ll take some time for the trees to get impressive,” Organ said. “That’s why I love the African proverb that says, ‘The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.’ We’re planning for the future by planting these trees as soon as possible.”
The Searcy Tree Board will be at the Dr. Robert E. Elliott Foundation Stride to Prevent Suicide 5K at Spring Park on Saturday, and Organ said there will be information about the Donate a Tree Today program. The board will also give away tree seedlings and will have a drawing for a free Japanese maple.
Those interested in donating money for a tree can find Donate a Tree Today brochures and order forms at Searcy City Hall and on the Searcy Tree Board’s Facebook page. Questions and payments can be addressed to Lillie Cook at City Hall at (501) 268-2483, or to Stafford at Whitlow Engineering Services at (501)279-9200.