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2007 Tennessee Tree Board of the YearMorristown Tree Board
Objective To help citizens make informed decisions about the preservation, landscaping, and planting of trees within our community.
Meetings
The Morristown Tree Board generally meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. in the community room at the City Center Building located at 100 West 1st North Street in Morristown, Tennessee (37814). The Tree Board Chairman may call a special meeting, for which a notice shall be posted as to the date, time, and place of the called meeting. For more information about the Morristown Tree Board or to schedule a program for your club or organization, please contact the Department of Community Development and Planning at (423) 585-4620.
Responsibilities of the Tree Board
1. Develop, review and recommend policies to carry out the intent of the Morristown Tree Ordinance.
2. Assist in coordinating tree-related activities.
3. Coordinate publicity concerning trees and tree programs.
4. Provide tree information to the community.
5. Maintain a recommended tree list for the community.
6. Recognize groups and individuals completing tree projects.
7. Coordinate donations of trees or money to purchase trees.
8. Hear citizen concerns regarding tree problems during scheduled meetings.
9. Perform other tree related duties and opportunities that arise from time to time.
Mr. Frank Abbott
Ms. Barbra Garrett
Ms. Anne Doka
Mr. Rick Martin, Tennessee Division of Forestry
Ms. Debi Stevenson, Keep America Beautiful
Mr. Paul McQuade, Natural Resources Conservation District
Mr. Chuck Smith, Morristown Utility System
Mr. Rick Trent, Councilmember
Ms. Debra Williams
Ms. Christine Wu
Ex-officio Members
Mr. Jim Crumley, City Administrator
Mr. Buddy Fielder, Assistant City Administrator
Mr. Jeff Branham, City Engineer
Mr. Bryan Fowler, Wastewater Director
Mr. Alan Hartman, Dir. of Community Development
Mr. Todd Morgan, Planner
Mr. Craig Price, Parks & Recreation Director
Morristown is a Tree City USA!
The Tree City USA program, sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 93 million Americans call home.
Being a Tree City USA helps present the kind of image that most citizens want to have for the place they live or conduct business. The Tree City USA signs at community entrances tell visitors that here is a community that cares about its environment. It is also an indication to prospective businesses that the quality of life may be better here. Gaining and retaining Tree City USA recognition is an award to the tree workers, managers, volunteers, tree board members and others who work on behalf of better care of a community's trees. Preference is sometimes given to Tree City USA communities over other communities when allocations of grant money are made for trees or forestry programs. The reason is that there are invariably more requests than available funds when grants are available through state or federal agencies. If requests are equally worthy, some officials tend to have more confidence in communities that have demonstrated the foresight of becoming a Tree City USA.
Morristown has been a Tree City USA since 2003 and received the Growth Award in 2003, 2005, and 2006. In 2007, the Morristown Tree Board was selected by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council as Tree Board of the year.
The Importance of Trees in Our Community
Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, lower our heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife. Trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products. Trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas and beautify our community. Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.
Arbor Day is an annual observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. As a formal holiday, it was first observed in 1872 in Nebraska. Since then, Arbor Day celebrations have spread across America and around the world. Morristown held its first Arbor Day celebration on April 4, 2003. For information on the next Arbor Day event in Morristown, please contact the Department of Community Development and Planning at (423) 585-4620.
The Turkey Creek Arboretum was created in 2003, the same year the City of Morristown received its Tree City USA designation from The National Arbor Day Foundation. Located within popular Fred Miller Park, the goal of the arboretum is to provide citizens and visitors to our city with an educational opportunity while they enjoy this beautiful location used by thousands for walking, playing and picnicking. The arboretum is currently working toward certification by replacing and improving current signage. For more information contact the Department of Community Development and Planning at (423) 585-4620.
American Sycamore tree in the arboretum
Legacy Tree Program
In an effort to continue to expand the Arboretum and add trees to other city parks, the Tree Board has developed the Legacy Tree Program. Loved ones may be remembered or honored through a tax deductible donation that will be used for the planting and maintaining of trees in the Arboretum as well as Wayne Hansard and Frank Lorino Parks. Legacy Trees will be marked with species information and the name of the person being honored by the donation. Brochures and applications are available at the City Center among other locations. For more information contact the Department of Community Development and Planning at (423) 585-4620.
Legacy Tree Program Brochure
Legacy Tree Online Database
Helpful Publications
Additional Resources:
Guidelines for Buying Trees
Native Trees for Tennessee
Protecting Trees During Construction
'Sewer Safe' Tree Selection
Timber Theft
Transplanting Trees (includes container & burlapped trees)
Trees to Reconsider Before Planting
Tree Topping Hurts Trees
Links
The following websites offer a wealth of information ranging from how to care for trees to proper species selection. For additional questions or comments, please contact the Department of Community Development and Planning at (423) 585-4620.
American Forests
www.americanforests.org
National Arbor Day Foundation
www.arborday.org
Tennessee Department of Urban Forestry
www.state.tn.us/agriculture/forestry/index.html
The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council
www.tufc.com
Trees Are Good/International Society of Arboriculture
www.treesaregood.com
University of Tennessee Extension Service
www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/forestry/default.asp
USDA Forest Service
www.fs.fed.us