Hannibal to commemorate Arbor Day with tree planting at Norfolk and Southern Multi-Sports Complex Friday

UPDATE: Because of the weather, this event is rescheduled for Friday, May 3.

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The city of Hannibal is celebrating the designation of Tree City USA for 25 years. The Hannibal Tree Board and Hannibal Parks and Recreation will kick off the commemoration on Arbor Day by planting a tree at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at Norfolk and Southern Multi-Sports Complex.

Fourth-graders from Stowell Elementary School, Holy Family, St. John’s and Eugene Field Elementary School will participate, along with Tree Board members.

The National Arbor Day Foundation encourages everyone to celebrate and plant trees each year in April. The observance takes place each year on the last Friday in April.

Hannibal meets the following standards to receive annual Tree City recognition:

• Maintaining a tree board or department
• Having a community tree ordinance
• Spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
• Celebrating Arbor Day