Tree plantings for NRD, Nemaha, Johnson counties

In celebration of 150 years of Arbor Day and 50 years of Nebraska Natural Resources Districts, a tree will be planted Friday afternoon, Oct. 14, at the Nemaha NRD’s headquarters in Tecumseh.

A red maple will be planted at 2:30 p.m. as one of the trees gifted to every county over the course of the year.

Other plantings:

• Oct. 24 – 9 a.m. sugar maple at the Pawnee County courthouse in Pawnee City
• 11 a.m.  bald cypress tree at Peru State College in Nemaha County
• Oct. 25 -- 9 a.m.  sugar maple at Johnson County courthouse in Tecumseh

Tammy Partsch of Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce said over 1 million trees were planted across Nebraska on the first Arbor Day in 1872.

She said the gifted trees are a way to show the state appreciation for their support of the holiday.

The trees being planted were selected by the Nebraska Forest Service and Nebraska Statewide Arboretum to increase diversity and resilience.

Ashley Rippe of the Nemaha NRD  said the trees provide aesthetic and educational benefits.

Rippe: “These trees truly are a multi-generational gift.”

Representatives from Nebraska City have been traveling Nebraska throughout this fall and will continue to do so into next spring to continue this statewide tree planting project. They hope to reach all 93 counties by next fall.

NCTC photo: Calvary Cemetery in Holt County On Oct.10