‘Searching for Mother Tree’ nature program to celebrate Hannibal’s 25 years as a Tree City USA member

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal has earned the Tree City USA for 25 years, and Hannibal Parks and Recreation is celebrating with a “Searching for Mother Tree” nature program in Riverview Park at the shelter by the playground at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15.

Nature educator Gale Rublee will lead the program. Reservations for nature programs may be made at www.hannibalparks.org.

In a press release, Rublee said, “Research shows that trees are connected to each other, the oldest trees in a forest are known as ‘mother trees.’ They nurture younger trees by sharing sugar solutions and warnings from their roots into the fungi network that connects forests.”

Kristy Trevathan, president of the Hannibal Tree Board, said receiving the Tree City USA designation means Hannibal residents enjoy the benefits of a greener, healthier community. Almost 1,000 trees have been planted in those 25 years.

Tree City USA was established in 1976 by the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs. To be certified, a town or city must meet four standards established by The National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters:

• Maintain tree board or department
• Have a community tree ordinance
• Spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
• Celebrate Arbor Day

These standards were established to ensure that every qualifying community would have a viable tree- management plan and program. These standards were designed so no community would be excluded because of size. In Missouri, cities with Tree City USA certification range in populations from 159 to 441,000 people.

Trevathan said the Hannibal Tree Board exceeds the requirements of Tree City USA by undertaking several tasks:

• Promote planting new trees in Hannibal’s public spaces
• Help maintain trees in our public spaces
• Work with Hannibal Board of Public Works, street and parks departments to encourage planting native species
• Recognize a Tree of the Month
• Educate the public and city government about the value of trees to neighborhoods and city

Trevathan said more than 150 trees have been planted on the South Main Street flood-buyout land. The Bald Cypress Grove was dedicated to Ed Tamerius, who had served on the Hannibal Tree Board for 22 years. Trevathan said the goal is to reforest that property with flood-resistant trees.

The Tree Board also worked with BASF in 2016 to plant more than 300 trees on the east side of Ely Street across from the Dempsey Dog Park in conjunction with BASF’s 50th year in Hannibal. Employees and family members from BASF helped with the planting.

The Tree Board raised money in 2018 to replace almost 30 trees damaged from storms in Central Park.

Trevathan said when the Tree Board first was established, it planted trees along Warren Barrett Drive, especially near the Industrial Park, because the whole area needed beautification. More recently, the Tree Board created the Main Street and Broadway tree plans, working with urban foresters and the Missouri Department of Conservation. She noted that many trees are memorial gifts, especially from John Martin, who donated more than $13,000 to honor his parents for all the trees along Broadway.

“These trees have become an important part of every community,” Trevathan said. “When streets are lined with trees, that creates a peaceful, aesthetically pleasing environment and brings nature closer to all of us.”

The Tree Board works with the Missouri Department of Conservation on many projects, such as receiving $1,700 worth of tools for the bi-annual mulching and pruning. The Arbor Day tree planting is one of the Tree Board’s favorite activities, and this year it was at Norfolk and Southern MultiSports Complex, where the Tree Board planted a linden tree in honor of past Tree Board member Raymond Witt.

The tree planting often includes area students learning about planting trees and caring for them.

Memorials for trees are recognized on a plaque in City Hall.

Trevathan said the Tree Board hopes to expand its mission by working with Hannibal Public School representatives to establish a Tree Campus K-12 USA program. Hannibal-LaGrange University became a Tree Campus Higher Education program 11 years ago.

Tree Board members are Trevathan, Paul Ewert, Susan Welker, Paul Miller, Harry Graves and David Vance.