January 21, 2020 —As part of the 2017 Arbor Day celebration, The John Bartram Arboretum at Kendal at Oberlin, in partnership with the City of Oberlin, took part in a Memorial Tree planting in Westwood Cemetery.
The Bur Oak, planted to honor the early planners and founders of Kendal at Oberlin, grows to be a massive majestic tree. It grows to heights of 80 to 100 feet, and has a canopy as wide. Oberlin’s Westwood Cemetery had lost a number of trees last year, so this seemed a fitting place for planting.
Oberlin is a Tree City for 18 Years
Ronnie Rimbert, Mayor and President of the Council of the City of Oberlin signed a proclamation acknowledging this special day set aside for planting trees and the many benefits that trees provide. The proclamation went on to mention that trees reduce erosion, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife. Trees are a renewable source, increase residential property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, beautify our city, counteract global climate change and are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.
The City of Oberlin was recently named nationally for its 18th year as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of its commitment to community forestry.
The John Bartram Arboretum Collaborates with the Oberlin Community
Kendal at Oberlin CEO Barbara Thomas commented, “True of so many of our resident initiatives, the work underway through the year by resident volunteers to advance the John Bartram Arboretum at Kendal at Oberlin has been invaluable. We are all learning so much and seeing so many more ways to collaborate internally and externally as a community.”
She added, “It was an educational experience attending the tree planting. Listening to our city representatives and volunteers, it’s refreshing to see Oberlin welcoming knowledgeable individuals who love trees and are working to make Oberlin more beautiful.”