<strong>From staff reports</strong>

In honor of Arbor Day, observed throughout South Carolina on the first Friday in December, the City of Beaufort and its Public Works Department, along with the Pigeon Point Beautification Committee and the Beaufort Garden Club, planted trees in two city parks.

At 10 a.m. the Pigeon Point Beautification Committee assisted in planting at Christensen Park on Pigeon Point Road. Later, at Morrall Park on Craven Street, the Beaufort Garden Club did the same.

For 29 years, the City of Beaufort has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Beaufort has received this national award in recognition of its commitment to its trees and urban/community forests. Criteria for this award include having a tree ordinance, a tree board (Park &amp; Tree Advisory Committee), a community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“Gaining Tree City USA recognition is an honor to the tree workers, managers, volunteers, PTAC members and others who work so hard on behalf of our community trees,” Parks Supervisor Adam Wellins said in a release. “It is a time when we reflect on the beauty of trees and recognize the benefits and dynamic nature of our ever-changing urban forest.”

Tree and plant donations were courtesy of the Beaufort Garden Club and the City of Beaufort.