Considering the winds in the past few days, it is a wonder that Watonga has any trees left standing. However, there is a move afoot to turn the Eagle City into a Tree City.
What does that mean? Tree City USA is a national recognition program from the Arbor Day Foundation that requires submission of an annual application demonstrating a community’s commitment to community trees.
Communities must meet all four standards through activities completed during a calendar year, between January 1 and December 31.
What are the advantages of becoming a Tree City? Trees act as natural filters, clean the air, reduce air temperatures by up to 10 degrees and may increase property values by up to 15 percent.
Studies have shown reduced rates of childhood asthma in high canopy neighborhoods and properly placed trees can reduce air conditioning costs.
When a city becomes a Tree City, the Arbor Day Foundation offers it free trees, which may include redbuds, dogwood, or oak trees.
To check the boxes, a town must form and seat a tree board, (Watonga has one, but there are no current members) create a tree ordinance, and budget $2 per resident for trees. That’s about $5,100 for Watonga, calculated off the 2020 census. A town must also hold an official Arbor Day event – that’s April 24 and submit its application.
There was once a line of trees along Clarence Nash Boulevard, but they have slowly succumbed to time and weather.
Marcus Wray, a community activist, has suggested those trees be replaced with redbuds and the pink blooming species be used to line the drive at Huff Lorang Park. This would, he said, create a welcoming entrance to the town and the park at a minimum cost to the city.
However, the tree board members will select the type of tree and the city property where they are planted.
City council member Neal Riley is also interested in having Watonga designated as a Tree City. His hopes include adding trees to city parks, especially Legion Park.
Riley is working to earn the designation for Watonga but acknowledges the application and event window are short if he is to accomplish the requirements this year.
But the effort is worth it, in his opinion.
“ We all know when there is more foliage, it reduces your cooling costs. A pretty town and pretty houses increase your property value. Our roads look terrible, but shade and trees prolong the life of asphalt.”
He pointed out that there are few, if any, trees at Huff Lorang to provide shade for spectators at the soccer fields.
“We don’t have to build a structure,” he said. “We just have to plant a tree.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Watonga Tree Board, contact Riley or stop by city hall.