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From THE N’WEST IOWA REVIEW
March 10, 2007
By Bekah Porter
Trees are a big deal in George as they beautify community
Listed as a “Tree City” for 11th straight year
Ed Heyer wants to plant seeds of interest in future generations.
But he plain just wants to plant trees, too.
As a founding member of the George Trees Forever organization, he wants to
preserve the town’s longstanding reputation as a community full of trees.
George recently earned recognition as an Iowa Tree City USA for the 11th
straight year. Rock Rapids was the only other town in N’West Iowa to receive the
honor, earning the title for the ninth time.
“Environmentally, aesthetically – trees are just the right thing to do for our
community,” he said. “We needed to plant some trees right here in George, so we
did.”
With more than 2,000 registered trees in the community of 1000, about two dozen
George Trees Forever members dedicate about 330 volunteer hours annually to keep
their branches beautiful and alive.”
The group started 13 years ago after an elm tree epidemic killed hundreds of the
city’s elms. Several concerned citizens banded together to resupply the town,
and a few months later, they decided to make it official.
Their efforts proved invaluable to the city, said the
George City Clerk, Bernie Weier.
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“If the city had to hire all the work done that this group’s done, we wouldn’t
have it,” she said. “These volunteers are what keep this city alive and moving
forward.”
Weier started serving on Trees Forever several years ago, and her own name pops
up with several volunteer hours.
While the organizations members plant hundreds of trees each year – in the local
parks, along the streets, in their tree park, along the recreational trail, by
the businesses and their own backyards – they do much more than just dig a hole
and plop the tree in.
The group's efforts extend to offering educational programs at local schools,
maintaining existing trees, removing dying trees, and hosting an Arbor Day
celebration on April 27.
The most surprising service to many, however, is its home delivery service.
Volunteers will travel to peoples homes to help them decide on the right tree
for their yard, order the tree, travel to pick it up and then return to help
plant it properly.
Not a big deal, Heyer said.
“What we’re doing is beautifying the town, first place,” he said. “We’re helping
them to remember trees are just that important to the community, absolutely
important.”
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