Rooted in pride: Rocky Top celebrates Arbor Day and seventh year as Tree City USA
Rocky Top celebrates Arbor Day and seventh year as Tree City USA
Students from Lake City Elementary School take part in the recent Arbor Day program at the Rocky Top Public Library. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
In 2018, Rocky Top became yet another Tennessee community to be recognized as a “Tree City USA,” and the City Council during its February meeting approved Mayor Kerry Templin’s proclamation of Arbor Day 2025.
The Arbor Day program was supposed to be held at the library on March 28, but had to be postponed because of a wildfire the city was fighting on that day, which required assistance of most first responders in the area, and even the Tennessee National Guard and its firefighting helicopters.
But even though it was delayed until May, the event was deemed a success.
Students Brynlee Elkins and Avery Bean read the Arbor Day proclamation signed by the mayor.
Mykaela Tackett, the library’s director of youth services, read the book “The Lorax,” by Dr. Seuss, to those attending the event, and helped the students make crafts.
Tennessee Urban and Community Forestry Engagement Specialist Alex Bremner congratulated the city on its seventh year as a Tree City USA.
To earn a Tree City USA designation, a city must have a tree commission and meet other criteria concerning planting and preservation of trees within the city limits, along with conducting a public Arbor Day program.
Nearby Norris was the first Tennessee city to earn the Tree City designation – 46 years ago.
