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

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.