CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Tree Commission met on June 24 in the city hall auditorium to address business including the Festival of Trees, the Cullman Veterans Memorial Park drone installation and commemorative projects.
Chairman Barry Slatton suggested negotiating with the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center and holding the Festival of Trees – which opens Dec. 4 – there. The festival’s opening ceremony will have refreshments, a meet-and-greet and interviews. According to commission member Jason Fowler, a Boy Scout troop will assist with the event this year. The commission is also looking to add a new Christmas program at the OmniPlex.
Commission members exchanged ideas on how to handle the installation of the drone display at the Cullman Veterans Memorial Park. The likely placement of the drone, which is currently at Apel Steel along with its base and pole, requires the removal of several pine trees. They mentioned moving the trees to another location. At its last meeting, the Cullman County Commission approved the removal of the trees – which will be approximately 20 in number.
The board is also looking to celebrate a different member of the community by planting a tree in his or her honor at a school or public property annually. Member B.J. Morgan suggested nominating honorees, having commemorative trees placed by City Arborist Shane Bivins and holding ceremonies with news coverage. Members considered which types of trees to choose for the honors and ones to avoid.
The commission discussed complaints about cypress trees interrupting underground linings at Ingle Park and planned to petition to save the removed trees and replace them with non-interfering ones.
Bivins reported that many trees fell during the recent storms, notably an old, large tree behind Cullman High School.
“The Cullman Tree Commission is trying to improve quality of life in the community and get people to focus on the value and beauty of trees,” said Slatton. “We’re building a little at a time and will bring more awareness to the preservation and enjoyment of trees.”
The next Cullman Tree Commission meeting will be held Aug. 12, at Cullman City Hall, where members will prepare for the Festival of Trees and Arbor Day Poster Contest.
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