Texas Border Business
McAllen– One hundred communities across Texas received a special delivery of 100 trees in honor of Texas A&M Forest Service’s centennial year, capping off a full year of celebrating the agency’s commitment to conserve and protect Texas’ trees and forests.
Aiming to help communities expand their urban tree canopy, 10,000 seedlings were grown at the TFS-operated West Texas Nursery
specifically for 100 Trees for 100 Communities. As one of Texas’ 83 Tree City USA cities, McAllen was able to sign up for the giveaway before it opened to other communities
Following some tough years of weather, especially this year’s flooding that occurred in much of the state, many communities are in great need of trees.
“When a community and its passion unites, compassion flourishes,” Urban Forester Clifford Hawkins said.
Each community may decide how to use their trees. Many communities tied the trees into Arbor Day celebrations. McAllen planted 40 trees in city parks for Arbor Day, and gave the remaining 60 trees away during their Texas Recycle Day.
“This has been a way to assist communities in their recovery efforts, and it provides an opportunity to connect with some of our smaller communities. We don’t often have trees to give away and it’s very nice to be able to offer trees across the state,” Gretchen Riley, partnership coordinator at Texas A&M Forest Service said.
The statewide Arbor Day celebration was held Nov. 6 in College Station at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
