Saturday’s cold weather moved the Sandersville Urban Tree Board’s Arbor Day tree giveaway from the City Hall lawn to the Sandersville Fire Department next door.

Board members handed out trees from the back of a pick-up truck parked inside the fire truck parking area of the station.

“We would probably have a line of people if it were a sun shiny day,” said Connie Maslanka, organizer. “We usually have quite a crowd of people coming out to get trees.”

Maslanka said the Mississippi Urban Forestry Council graciously donated about 2,000 seedlings for the event. Those requesting trees had a choice nutall oak, leland cypress, loblolly pine and shuamard pine seedlings.

“Arbor Day is the tree planting holiday that was first proposed by J. Sterling Morton,” explained Maslanka. “Morton was a journalist and naturalist who advocated the planting of trees among his fellow pioneers during the mid 1800s in Nebraska.”

Maslanka said trees were needed then and they continue to be vital to the environment today. According to Maslanska, trees are used as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials and for shade from the hot Mississippi sun.

“As the Sandersville Urban Tree Board, we hope to continue the legacy of Sterling Morton by encouraging the planting of trees each year during our celebration of Arbor Day,” added Maslanka. “It’s a known fact that most folks will shop in areas that have trees.

“Also, kids would rather go to play in a place that has trees rather than a place that doesn’t,” she said. “And, imagine what the world would look like if there weren’t any trees. They are just wonderful and beautiful to have around.”

Sandersville Mayor Walter “Buzz” Jack agrees. That’s why he says it is important to celebrate Arbor Day and encourage people to replenish nature.

“The tree giveaway gives people a free opportunity to replenish areas that lost trees during natural disasters,” said Jack. “This project helps us beautify our community.”

Sandersville Alderman Bob White added that the nation is taking away from nature’s beauty by cutting down too many trees.

“I believe we need to be helping the earth by replanting,” he said. “I recently planted four new trees over at my home, mainly because I love trees and the beauty of the fall leaves.”

Among those who braved the 40-plus degree temperatures to get free trees for her property was Sandersville resident Jane Blakney. Blakney said she has a deer camp and wanted to get some trees to plant to provide food for the deer. She also wanted to get trees for her yard.

Debbie Parker of Heidelberg also dropped by for trees. “I think this is great what they are doing,” she said. “I’m from Heidelberg, but I spend half my time here. It’s a great town and great people.”

Maslanka said team work is the key to the success the city has seen in activities like Arbor Day. Everyone, including the mayor and board of aldermen do what they can to pitch in and help, she said.

In addition to the tree giveaway, Sandersville’s Arbor Day observance included the planting of a tree in honor of former Mayor Pat Lightsey. Lightsey served as an inspiring teacher and coach from 1959 to 1972 at Glade, Sandersville and Northeast Jones High School. He was a member of the Sandersville Board of Alderman for 16 years and mayor for 12 years.

“Planting a tree is a symbol of hope that can encourage others and be beneficial to future generations just as Pat has been an inspiration to so many people of the town of Sandersville, his former students, and to everyone who has had the privilege to work along side him to improve the quality of life in Sandersville,” said Maslanka.

Also this weekend, the Jones County Forestry Association celebrated Arbor Day with a tree sale in Ellisville and Laurel.

Benefits from the annual tree sale goes towards a forestry scholarship at Jones County Junior College.

Plum Creek Timber Co., which has locations in Richton, Moselle and Shubuta, provided the seedlings, which included such species as sawtooth, nutall and cherrybark oak, crabapple and cypress.

Ellisville resident Eric Wigley was one of those buying seedlings at Ellisville Farm & Garden.

“This is the first time ever I’ve bought some trees here,” he said, noting he purchased saw tooth oak and crabapple seedlings. “I’m going to be planting them for wildlife — something to feed the deer and coons.”

Chris Long, who joined Wigley at the tree sale, said he has participated in the event for the past three years.

“I like trees for their aesthetics,” he said. “Plus, you can’t beat a dollar per tree.”

Long, who along with Wigley are JCJC graduates, said it’s also good to support the college.

Jeff Keaton, lead instructor of the forestry program, said the tree sale has been very beneficial for the school’s scholarship program.

“In some cases, some students wouldn’t be allowed to attend college,” he said, noting approximately 45 students are currently enrolled in the program. “I have an extreme love of trees. I couldn’t live without them.”

Dr. Brian Mitchell, another instructor at JCJC, said he has been very impressed with the school’s forestry program.

“I’ve taught at other forestry programs, and by far, this is the best forestry program in the state,” he said. “It’s a privilege to work here with them.”

Mitchell said Jones County Junior College is one of the top two year forestry schools in the Southeast, with graduates employed in eight Southeastern states.

“One of our graduates recently had the opportunity to work with the U.S. Forest Service in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “Our graduates are highly sought after in the industry and by other colleges.”

Mitchell added that even in a tough economy, JCJC forestry graduates are able to find employment.

Jim Walley, vice president of external affairs for JCJC, said the school’s forestry program has unique partnerships in the industry and with other schools like Colorado State University.

“Through those partnerships, one of our students was able to attend Yale University,” he said. “Upon graduation, students can either go to work or transfer to a senior institution.”

Walley said JCJC also has a partnership with the country of Sweden, which produces new forestry technology yearly.

“That technology is incorporated into our program so students can learn on some of the latest technology available,” he said. “We also host continuing education classes for people working in the industry yearly. Foresters from 17 states have attended a workshop.”



News Editor David Owens contributed to this story.