CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman was recently recognized as a Tree City USA community for the 38th consecutive year and received the prestigious Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation. The national recognition honors Cullman’s continued commitment to planting, growing and maintaining trees throughout the community.
A ceremony was held outside Cullman City Hall on Feb. 27 to mark the designation and observe Arbor Week, Feb. 22-28, the last full week of the month. During the ceremony, Mary Claire Smith of the Alabama Forestry Service presented the Tree City USA flag and materials, as well as the Growth Award materials, to the City. Cullman is the only city in north Alabama to receive the Growth Award and one of only a few cities statewide to earn that distinction.
Mayor Woody Jacobs reflected on the milestone.
“We’re proud to have been a Tree City USA for 38 straight years, and God willing, we’ll make it to 40 and beyond,” Jacobs said. “Planting and caring for trees is something this city has taken seriously for decades. Sometimes we do have to remove trees, whether for safety, disease or construction, but we always make it a priority to plant more than we take out. That’s part of being good stewards of our community.”
As part of the ceremony, Jacobs presented certificates to students from East Elementary, Cullman Christian and Sacred Heart who participated in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Kenzie Lee and Elaina Sanders of East Elementary, Elizabeth Haynes of Cullman Christian and Tommy Keough of Sacred Heart. Second place winners, who each received $25, were Emmerich Schumacher of East Elementary, Olivia Laney of Cullman Christian and Kayla Lam of Sacred Heart. First-place winners, each receiving $50, were Eden Conn of East Elementary, Jasmine Hampton of Cullman Christian and Ella Grey of Sacred Heart.
Eden Conn of East Elementary was named the overall winner. Cullman Tree Commission Chairman Barry Slatton presented Conn with a special tree-themed quilt.
“It’s the goal of the Tree Commission to help educate young people about the importance of trees and the role they play in our community,” Slatton said. “When students take part in activities like the poster contest, they’re learning that trees are not just part of the landscape, they’re part of our quality of life.”
Others attending the ceremony included members of the Cullman Tree Commission and the Cullman City Council, City Arborist Shane Bivins, as well as school officials and parents. To conclude the ceremony, the new Tree City USA flag was raised in front of Cullman City Hall, where it will be displayed throughout the year.
For more information about Arbor Day, Tree City USA and the Growth Award program, visit the Arbor Day Foundation website at www.arborday.org.
