by Lisa Schauer
Town of Bath Tree Board hosted an Arbor Day ceremony at Berkeley Springs State Park on Saturday, April 25.
West Virginia’s state tree, a Sugar maple, was planted by town arborist and tree board member Craig Dean, and Sam Adams, Urban Forestry Coordinator with West Virginia Division of Forestry, which manages the Tree City USA program for the state.
Mayor Greg Schene read a proclamation on the town’s 19th year as a member of Tree City USA, founded by the Arbor Day Foundation to cultivate civic pride by committing to a community that’s healthier, happier, and more livable.
“Bath has been active in our program a long time,” said Adams.
Most states observe Arbor Day based on the best tree-planting time in their area. West Virginia observes Arbor Day on the second Friday in April.
The Sugar maple is hardy and celebrated as a uniquely American symbol.
Sugar maples grow to 100 feet and are prized for making maple sugar and maple syrup.
Early European settlers learned how to make maple syrup from Native Americans, including the Iroquois, living in the northeast woodlands centuries before.
Maples must be at least ten to 18 inches in diameter to tap, said Dean, and this one will be ornamental.
