Quincy Tree Commission plants tree along Bill Klingner Trail to commemorate Arbor Day

Tree planting

Pictured from left are Quincy Tree Commission member Bob Terstriep, Quincy Tree Commission member Tom Friye, Quincy Mayor Michael Troup, Quincy Tree Commission member Jan Leimbach and Quincy Tree Commission member Rome Frericks Photo courtesy of Dept. of Planning & Development

QUINCY — The Quincy Tree Commission planted a tree Tuesday along the Bill Klingner Trail to commemorate Arbor Day.

Though Arbor Day is annually commemorated on the final Friday in April, the commission chose to plant a tree in celebration Tuesday because of the many benefits to a late planting. The Arbor Day Foundation says a late fall planting gives a tree an extra growing season before the stress of summer. The cooler temperatures and fall rain allows a new tree to establish its roots ahead of the extreme summer heat or drought.

A Royal Raindrop Crabapple tree was planted along the trail. It will bloom with pinkish-red flowers in the spring followed by tiny, purple-red fruit that birds can eat in the fall. The tree should grow to a height of 20 feet with a 10-15 foot spread and a life expectancy of more than 50 years.

The City of Quincy is a Tree City USA. The city has received this distinction for 35 years, making it one of the longest running cities in Illinois to receive such a designation. The requirements to be a Tree City USA are  celebrating Arbor Day, having a community tree ordinance, maintaining a tree commission and spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry.

Quincy Mayor Mike Troup noted a couple of openings on the Quincy Tree Commission could be filled by people interested in trees and public service.

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