The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, USDA Forest Service National Wildlife Federation and several partners organized a series of activities in celebration of Arbor Day in Georgia, Saturday, February 21, 2009 between 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM. These included facilitated hikes, a presentation on arboriculture and a performance called the Trail of Trees.  "Trail of Trees" was created by Tim Wommick who was inspired to teach people about trees after a visit to Joyce Kilmer National Forest and reading Kilmer's poem, "Trees".  He has toured all over Georgia and the United States and has become known as the modern-day Johnny Appleseed or more simply "The Tree Guy".  Facilitated by this outstanding entertainer, Georgia Forestry Commission sponsors this high energy, engaging, interactive performance for youth of all ages: http://www.treetures.com/Timstrail.htm

Arboriculture is both an art and a science - combining physical skills and modern technology to utilize scientifically based methods to care for trees. This includes the study of how trees grow and respond to cultural practices and the environment, as well as application of cultural techniques such as selection, planting, care, surgery and removal. The main focus of arboriculture is amenity trees; such trees are maintained primarily for landscape purposes for the benefit of human beings. Amenity trees are usually in gardens, parks or urban settings, and arboriculture involves aspects of plant health, pest and pathegen control, risk management, and aesthetic considerations. Trees offer cultural and historical benefits beyond production of wood products; for this reason, arboriculture needs to be distinguished from forestry, which is the commercial production and use of timber and other forest products from plantations and forests.

As part of celebration of Georgia's Arbor Day we invited several local elementary middle and high school students to participate in poster and poetry contests. The elementary schools were asked to submit posters and the middle & high school students are to create poems on the many benefits of trees. The entries will be judged after the Trail of Trees presentation.  We are looking for at least one poster or poem from each school that details the benefit trees provide our society.

The fast majority of attendees were families with youth that varied from pre- k to grade 12. They had a great time and the interplay between the kids and Tim was electric.  For some fun educational materials from Tim's presentation please visit http://www.treetures.com/FunActivities/funandactivi.htm.