Libby celebrating 22 years as a Tree City USA

Guest Commentary:

Libby is one of 3,400 towns (41 in Montana) that are part of the Tree City USA program that provides the framework for community forest management for cities and towns across America. Sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forest 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.

This year Libby celebrates its 22nd year as a Tree City USA member. Under the stewardship of the volunteer tree board, Libby has added more than 600 trees to its urban forest for future generations to enjoy. These projects have been made possible because of community volunteers. The Libby Tree City USA board and the City of Libby are committed to continued management of its public trees.

In 2014, the Tree Board and volunteers planted 10 sapling size deciduous trees, of a wide variety of species, within the city. Some planted trees replaced damaged or dead trees. The remainder were placed in locations to improve the scenic value or provide shading of their location, i.e. Riverfront Park. The tree board also hosted a fruit tree pruning workshop, provided maintenance and watering of many city trees and performed site-specific insect control.

The City of Libby annually recognizes Arbor Day with the mayor’s reading of the proclamation and a planting effort on the last Friday of April. This year’s celebration will occur at 4 p.m. on April 24, meeting at the corner of Main Street and East Sixth Street. The event will include the planting of two hardwood trees, made possible by a grant from the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

In the coming growing season, the tree board would like to encourage folks to provide their trees with proper maintenance and care for the benefit of the community. Deep watering once a week during the summer months is essential for tree survival, especially for younger trees.

It is recommended that before applying herbicides to lawns for killing broadleaf weeds, folks carefully read the product manufacturer’s specifications and consider seeking professional assistance, as chemical damage to trees can be a problem.

The Libby Tree Board is interested in having new volunteers join our group. Volunteers don’t have to be a professional forester, but should be a resident of the city and have an interest in city beautification through tree planting and maintenance.

For information on Libby’s tree ordinance or the management of the city trees, please contact Jim Hammons, supervisor of city services at 293-2731. Members of the tree board are Russ Gautreaux, Gary Huntsberger, April Rainey, Dave Friedman and Val Day.

— Russ Gautreaux is a member of the Libby Tree Board.