SKANEATELES — On April 29, Skaneateles Mayor Mary Sennett and others gathered at Clift Park to plant a new tree.

This has become something on a tradition in the community both in celebration of Arbor Day as well as in recognition  of the village being named a Tree City USA community.

This honor is bestowed by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor the village’s commitment to effective urban forest management.

This recognition comes by meeting four requirements that include, forming a tree board or department, creating a tree-care ordinance, having an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the

National Association of State Foresters.

“Tree City USA communities benefit from the positive effects that an urban tree canopy has year after year,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Village of Skaneateles ensure that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program helps cultivate a sense of stewardship and pride for the trees the community plants and cares for.”

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, planting trees in an urban space comes with a myriad of benefits past the recognition of this program.

Other benefits of urban tree plantings include reduced energy consumption by up to 25%, which will reduce general energy costs and help with the overall cooling of the city as well. In addition, members of the community benefit from properly placed trees as they increase property values from 7–20%. Trees also positively affect the local ecosystem by helping to clean water and create animal habitats to encourage biodiversity.

Along with planting a new tree, Sennett shared a proclamation that noted the start of Arbor Day and all that has happened since.

According to the proclamation the Nebraska Board of agriculture started Arbor Day in 1872 and was first observer with the planting of a million trees in Nebraska.

The day is now recognized across the globe and the innumerable trees that have been planted have helped combat climate change by reducing the erosion of topsoil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling costs, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing life-giving oxygen, and providing habitat for

Wildlife.

It was also noted trees are a renewable natural resource and increase property values and enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify the community.

Sennett said trees are a source of joy and spiritual renewal and she encouraged other to consider planting trees if possible for the joy of future generations.