rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — For Lauren Schoonover Preston, it’s a family tradition to be part of Canton’s Shade Tree Commission.
“I became involved with the Shade Tree Commission when I was very little. My Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Ray would take me along to plant trees and work in the arboretum,” she said. “That is when I acquired my love of trees and community.”
The Shad Tree Commission that she knows of, was started by Bill and Bess Clark with her grandparents, Dorothy and Ray Smithgall. About 30 years ago, they began planting what would amount to more than 200 trees that line the streets of Canton today.
“We have planted some trees lately, but it nothing compared the past. Hopefully someday I can say I have planted that many trees as well,” said Preston.
She went on to say that they helped set up the Laura Morse Arboretum on the Corner of Carson and Troy Streets.
Along with this, they helped establish Canton as a “Tree City USA.”
Eventually, John Shaffer joined the group, as well as John Mosser, Preston and Amy Seeley.
The Tree City USA program has been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976. It is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. Tree City USA communities are home to more than 143 million Americans.
More than 3,400 communities have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA. They have achieved Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.
Preston also knows how important it is to teach the youth the importance of trees.
“I (with the help of Seeley) have an Arbor Day Celebration for the fourth grade of the Canton Elementary School,” said Preston. “I teach them about the history of Arbor Day, have a fun activity or two, then they take home a small tree to plant and watch grow. We have done these celebrations for some other groups as well over the years and would always love to do more in the future.”
She said they help plant trees to line the streets of Canton Borough.
“This year we will give $100 toward each tree to be planted according to the Shade Tree Commission rules.”
Along with planting trees, the Shade Tree Commission also helps care for the Laura Morse Arboretum by having “work bees” in the spring and fall.
“We try to keep up with some tree pruning and care with the help of the Canton Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as well as the Canton Borough workers,” she said.
“I believe the Canton Shade Tree Commission is very important for our town because trees make our town more beautiful and healthy,” said Preston.
“Trees absorb pollutants while giving oxygen, provide shade, add value to homes, and absorb excess water. I also think planting trees bring people together to plant, care for, and have pride in our home town.”
The Shade Tree Commission has always been a part of Preston. For her senior project in high school, she chose to help get Canton reinstated as a Tree City USA as a junior member under Mosser.
“I will be forever grateful to my grandparents for taking the time to share their involvement in the Canton Shade Tree Commission with me. For my senior project in high school I choose to help get Canton reinstated as a Tree City USA as a junior member under John Mosser.”
For more information about the Canton Shade Tree Commission or how to get involved or join, contact Amy Seeley or Lauren Schoonover Preston.
For more information on Tree City USA, go to www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa.