by Ann Huyler, Pee Dee Region Urban Forestry Specialist
Canopy sessions
Cities around South Carolina are holding “canopy sessions,” part of which are tree giveaways to establish more trees on private property and to improve the urban canopy in metropolitan areas. The nonprofit organization TreesSC partners with cities, Duke Energy, the Forestry Commission and businesses, such as Bartlett Tree Experts, to host these canopy sessions.
People who register for the canopy session receive at least one free tree of their choosing.
The event provides tree presentations, such as tree planting, tree care after planting and when to contact an arborist, prior to the tree giveaway.
After attending all the presentations, people get to choose their free tree(s).
The canopy sessions for the cities of Florence and Chester offered at least 14 different tree species and more than 140 individual trees for the giveaway.
The tree species selections ranged from small trees, such as the deciduous magnolia ‘Jane,’ to medium size trees, such as the blackgum ‘Wildfire,’ to large trees, such as the swamp white oak, Quercus bicolor.
Urban Forestry Specialist Ann Huyler assisted at both events, teaching proper tree planting techniques and helping people choose the right tree for their home.
The Florence Canopy Session happened Oct. 4 at the City Center Farmer’s Market, and the Chester Canopy Session was held Oct. 11 on Cadz St. at the pavilion. More than 100 people registered and received at least one tree at each event.
Both sessions concluded with all trees claimed. People tucked trees into the backseat of their cars, tied them securely in their pickup trucks and drove out, eager to give their trees a happy, forever home.
Tree City USA
City of Manning
For a quarter of a century, the City of Manning has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Every year the city of Manning achieves the four standards required by Arbor Day to become a Tree City. A city must have a public tree ordinance, an official city tree board or department, spend more than $2 per capita on tree issues and celebrate Arbor Day.
Last year, the city met all the requirements and celebrated Arbor Day Dec. 6 by planting two redbud trees, Cercis canadensis, on W. Boyce St. in honor of Mr. Larry Williamson, a devoted supporter of the Manning Tree Board.