Trees for the Future

Valley City Holds Arbor Day Celebration And Honors VCHS Class of ‘93 Classmates

Arbor Day, April 28, 2023 is a celebration of trees and forests all over the world. However, in North Dakota, April 28th may not be the best time to plant a tree so we improvise and celebrate on a beautiful day, filled with sunshine, like May 25th.

Bob Anderson, City Forester, joined by VCPR, Mayor Carlsrud, city staff, representatives of the Class of 1993 and other guests, to celebrate Arbor Day and the planting of two trees in remembrance of VCHS Class of 1993 members Matt Skogan, and Jay Komrosky in City Park.

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Mayor Carlsrud lead the presentation in reading the 2023 City of Valley City Arbor Day Proclamation:

Whereas, In 1872 J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees, and

Whereas, This holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and

Whereas, Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and

Whereas, Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife, and

Whereas, Trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products, and

Whereas, Trees in our city increase property values, enhance vitality at the business economic areas, and beautify our community, and

Whereas, Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal, and

Whereas, Valley City has been recognized as a Tree City USA by The National Arbor Day Foundation and desires to continues its treeplanting ways.

Now, Therefore, I, Dave Carlsud, President of the City of Valley City Commission, Valley city, North Dakota, do hereby proclaim April 28, 2023 as Arbor Day in the City of Valley City and I urge all citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and to support our city’s urban forestry program, and Further, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of present and future generations.

This proclamation was signed by Mayor Carlsrud on May 2, 2023.

VCHS Class of 1993 representatives Julie May and Wes Anderson took a moment to share about the importance and connection of their fellow classmates, Skogan and Komrosky, and the honor of a tree being planted in their names.

May shares, “We (Class of 1993) are doing this today, as no matter what our relationship was with fellow classmates, we want to honor their lives and show that their lives had meaning, purpose and that they were somebody’s person.”

Taking May’s words to heart this reporter agrees and would like to add, in my opinion, planting a tree is a forever statement that binds the person honored (in a sense) to be a forever part of this world. Growing and flourishing with nature for all to embrace and enjoy.

Wes Anderson chuckles and shares a memory of classmate Matt Skogan, “Matt was quite a character and very much a comedian of the class. He left this world all too soon.” He continues in saying that “Trees are the renewal and promise of tomorrow. To plant a tree is to recognize your mortality. You will never sit in the shade of the full grown tree you are planting but it will live on for generations to come to be enjoyed and remembered by others.”

Bob Anderson tells the group that the two trees planted are a Northern Embrace Elm that will turn a beautiful burgundy red in the fall and a Balsam Poplar, which is a more shiny leaves and has aromatic tree that does well in North Dakota.

Bob also shared with the Times-Record that the City of Valley City has a department tab dedicated to forestry information including different types, sizes, trimming and growing tips. This information can be found on their website at https://www.valleycity.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ForestryBrochure-08.14.2020. pdf