Clinton’s Arbor Day celebrates roots and history
Clinton Mayor Scott Burton and Boys and Girls Club members plant a redbud tree for the recent Arbor Day celebration at Town Springs. (photo:Submitted )
Mayor Scott Burton welcomed everyone to the celebration, and Joey Smith, Tree Board member, shared information on the Historic Downtown Walking Tour established by the Historic Downtown Clinton organization.
Students from the Boys and Girls Club of Anderson County read the story of the Town Springs as told on one of the walking tour’s historic signs.
They also related the story from another tour sign about the Clinton High School bombing and the Clinton 12, and noted the presence of the “Witness Tree,” a large sugar maple that stood at the entrance to the school during the turmoil and is still present today.
It has been officially recognized as a Historic Tree by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.
Afterward, Wendy Maness, a city councilwoman and Tree Board member, signed a proclamation establishing Oct. 28 as Arbor Day for 2026 in Clinton.
Brook Smith of the Tennessee Division of Forestry presented the city with its certificate of recognition as a Tree City USA for 2025 from the national Arbor Day Foundation and the state of Tennessee.
It marked the ninth consecutive year that the city has earned recognition as a Tree City USA.
To be recognized as a Tree City USA, communities must meet four criteria during the calendar year.
They must have a tree ordinance in effect, have a tree board or similar body in place, spend at least $2 per capita on tree planting or maintenance, and celebrate Arbor Day at some time during the year.
Boys and Girls Club students then helped with the planting of two redbud trees along the walkway surrounding the springs, under the supervision of Tim West, Tree Board member and arborist with the Clinton Utilities Board.