The city of Emporia continued a longstanding tradition with the annual planting of the Mayor’s Tree on Friday.
Mayor Rob Gilligan says the event honoring Arbor Day is a small gesture with a big potential impact.
Parks and Zoo staffers planted a redpointe maple in C of E Park near the daylily garden and just north of Kenyon Heights. Redpointe maples can grow as high as 40 to 50 feet, and can grow one to two feet a year depending on the conditions. It’s considered tolerant of many soils.
Emporia has enjoyed Tree City status for decades. Usually, Tree City participants have to plant at least one tree every year, but that requirement was waived due to COVID-19 last year.
