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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree City Recognition Winter Springs gets `Tree City' recognition By JOHN HORNER Correspondent WINTER SPRINGS—The Na- tional Arbor Day Foundation named the city as a "1989 Tree Ci- ty USA." In a letter to the city its executive director John Rosenow said the award is an excellent in- dication that you are taking your municipal tree-care responsibilities seriously." The letter from its Lincoln, Nebr., offices, furnished by Gil Artman,city forester and director of public works,said that an effec- tive program is an ongoing process of 'renewal and improve- ment . .of planting and care that continues through the years."Art- man, who has directed the city's tree-planting program since becoming forester as part of his public works position and the ci- ty's 5-year-old arbor ordinance, said the award which includes the Tree City USA flag and other material will be made as part of Arbor Day Apr.27 by James Har- rell of the state forester's office. Artman, who brings considerable experience to the role was Central Florida area supervisor for forestry for Orange, Osceola,Brevard and Seminole counties before joining the city nearly five years ago. He said he is coordinating the planting of the 1,200 Laurel oak saplings as pan of the celebration with leaders of the 30 city homeowners associa- tions and county forester Mike Martin. He plans a presentation at the ci- ty's BOWS"beautification board meeting Feb 14 and hopes to enlist its role in coordinating the event. He said the city qualified for its award with its arbor ordinance and all its efforts including that in the Highlands. k9o / Winter for 'Tree city de°e jtuition By amine Bennett - for roadways and construction. The orrr�e eaaossnvs ..- - $1 corporation Prom a comm l nursery.at For slightly more than a year, Art- WINTER SPRINGS — Winter man and public works employees have Springs will applylater this year to be- donated time to assure the growth of come one of two cities in Seminole 1,000 laurel oak trees.that Artman County designated as a Tree City USA bought as seedlings for a total of$60. If chosen, the sty.akmg with Stn He also bought pots and soil for a total .•ford,win be among as cities in Florida of$100 for the trees.Which are about to acquire the title. 3S5 feet tall. In addition to those projects,the city Sant was selected last year.Wm- recently revised its arbor ordinanc ter Siwhigs must establish a day to ob- which is expected to be adopted next Day before it meets all cri- month. While the 4-year-old necessary to be chosen,said Pub- arbor ordinance prohibits developers lie Works Director Gil Artman. The from shipping property of trees, the program is Arbor Day sport ed by National- newest edition has more stringent leg- ulations to save trees. vision a,an employee the state Di- Besides Winter Springs, Altamonte Forestry fa l7 years before Springs also is looking at the program, he was hired by the city in August which is aimed at making 1988, said Winter.*tangs meets most aware of nee of the criteria preservation ram said id a least $1 per become. spends at pmservahons, �a-alab rilo for tree Couua tree-management do as Winn Orange and autho . a p ordinance,yi County,othedu and ation;Parkeain nxea t treeia- Ian revved received the Mount designation;h; while id board n see ant pier are move Lake County,Mount Dora has received n new developments move into it. city.the Cities designated as a Tree City Several homeownem associations,as - USA, Martin said, are "viewed by the oPat.,*o are dedicated public as communities concerned with tpctsesingi"S neighborhoods. environment. A good tree-manage- Last year, the Tuacawilla Develop. ment program also cart increase" Prop- ment Corp. rel9atted more than 700 erty values,add character to towns and trees that would have been cut down cities,and beautify the community." ?9 p � /� Winter Springs . plans to seek `Tree City' label By Elaine Bennett OF THE SENTINEL STIFF WINTER SPRINGS — Winter Springs later this year to become one of ts in apply nole County designated as a two USA. in Semi- If chosen, the city, Tree City DSA among 33 cities in Florida to acquire the title. will be Besides Winter Springs,Altamonte Springs also is looking at the program, which is aimed at making people aware Of tree preservation through a good tree-management program, said forester Michael J. Martin. In Orange County, Orlando and Winter Park have received the designation;while in Lake County, Mount Dora has received it. Winter Springs must establish a day to observe Ar- bor Day before it meets all criteria to be chosen,said public works t director Gil Artman. The program is Adman, an the National Arbor Day Foundation. For- estry for 17 employee of the state Division of For- August 1985, said Winter S rings fired by the city in criteria because it s Springs meets most of annu- ally for tree r spends at least a$I arbor ordinance, ance- and authorizes its siteplan review board to see that trees are Ipreserved when new developments move well the city.developer; homeowners associations, as Pr also are dedicated to preserving trees in neighborhoods. Last year, the Tuscawilla Development Corp, re- planted more than 700 trees that would have been cut down for roadways and construction. For slightly more than a year Artman and public works employees have donated time to assure the growth of 1,000 laurel oak trees that Artman bought as seedlings for a total of$60. He also bought pots I and soil for a total of$100 for the trees, which are about 31/2 feet tall. In addition to those projects, the city recently re- vised its arbor ordinance, which is expected to be adopted next month. While the existing 4-year-old ar- bor oordinance prohibits developers from stripping prop P y of trees, the newest edition has more strin- gent regulations to save trees. 7-90144 S WA tie, 2,1W-4- t y = Don Boyett. SEMINOLE COUNT'EDITOR Artman agrees: The public has gone nuts on trees.And it's not just people. Gulfstream, the megadeveloper of City planning now Th�wllla,is moving large trees from future read paths and placing them for future shade alongside what will one day be streets. Up in Lake Mary, the North Point de- was was talking with ftitty Degrenea, velopment moved dozens of trees next manager of The Highlands Homeown. door is while its land was being reshaped Pe- ers Association in Winter Springs, and is now moving them back.It's its prmga, and pensive, ith ma, but the development D O starts the subject of trees came uP• with mature If there is one thing people in.Semi- trees from Day One. coun- nole County agree on,it is tress;Plant That's greae But what of the Can- them, PIvteet them,.nurture-them. If sel major arterials? Sanford medians and Con just a few of the projects started are U.S. i hwa to landscape tRoad ad Plan completed,this is going to be one big, U.S. Highway and State p t beautiful forest in 25 or 30 years. g 436, and t r. The Altamonte has improved though,Part of The Highlands,she said,will plant a that the o latter.stretches sad truth,thou hi, i- large specimen oak in front of the club drat mret s ugly ' these two high- large house this month. Next.year they will them.are so ugly it'hurts to look at plant 1,000 seedlings in yards and pub- The lie areas in the subdivision. Then she should �beside them told me what Gill Artman, Winter Springs director of public works,is up to. He paid $100 for 1,000 laurel oak seedlings put out by the state forestery service and another,$60 for some pot- ting soil,fertilizer and plastic pots.His miniature national forest grows back of city hall, and by next year he ex- pects the trees to be 4 to 5 feet tall. At that time they will be offered free to residents of the sty for planting streetrg of ay. Just i gin along , oaks along Winimag- ine (� Springs streets will look like in 10 6 9 years.Move over,Winter Park.