Grissom celebrates Arbor Day, plants Yoshino cherry

Published April 25, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Grissom didn't let a gloomy day stop it from celebrating its on-going commitment to the environment.

As part of its annual Arbor Day celebration, nearly 30 Airmen, civilians and contractors gathered around the 434th Civil Engineer Squadron's pond to plant a Japanese flowering Yoshino cherry tree here April 25.

"Trees are an easy way to beautify and improve our environment," explained Cory Walters, 434th Mission Support Group biological scientist. "Trees provide a little something for everyone, and it's an easy way for us to give back to the environment and our community."

Leading the ceremony was David Hughes, 434th MSG base civil engineer, who spoke about the benefits trees provide.

"Trees provide shade to keep us and our homes cool on hot summer days, give off vital oxygen through photosynthesis which you and I and animals need to breathe, and absorb harmful pollutants and small particles from the air which could damage our lungs," said Hughes. "Trees also provide protection from the wind, reduce noise pollution, and provide a home and food for wildlife."

On top of those benefits, many of the products Americans use each and every day come from trees, including chewing gum, crayons, soap, shatterproof glass, suntan lotion, cork, dyes, life-saving drugs, writing paper, syrup, perfume, pencils, firewood, building materials and many more.

According to the National Arbor Day Foundation's website, the Yoshino cherry tree planted this year is of the variety that made the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Ga., famous. It is known for fragrant, white-pink flowers and features an oriental branching pattern with glossy bark and dark-green leaves.

"It has really pretty spring blossoms," remarked Walters when asked why the Yoshino Cherry was chosen. "It's a beautiful way to welcome in spring."

While the tree may be beautiful, the gloomy day was not, but Walters said that wasn't a bad thing at all.

"With it raining, it makes it easier on the tree to adjust to its new home because the ground is wet and you have an immediate source of water for it to draw from to take root," he explained. "It makes it much less stressful for the tree."

And, it's not just a single cherry tree Grissom's civil engineers care about. The base has more than 3,700 trees throughout its more than 1,200 acres, which is one of the reasons Grissom is one of 67 communities has been selected as a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation for the last 13 years.

To be named as a Tree City, four requirements as outlined by the Arbor Day Foundation must be met to include a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance.

"With the emphasis on money for the foreseeable future, trees are a win-win for the base," stated Walters. "We can beautify the base while minimizing our environmental impact. By maintaining the tress we help to keep them healthy, and healthy trees can provide the installation with benefits for many years."

With the number of trees on Grissom, the emphasis has shifted from planting new trees to managing and maintaining existing resources.

"With an active tree management program, we can continually maintain our tree population, added Walters. "This allows us to maximize the look and benefit we receive from our trees."

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the national Association of State Foresters.

Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps Reserve communications detachment.

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Grissom celebrates Arbor Day, plants Yoshino cherry

Public Affairs Staff