Five new trees planted at Bluffton Community Pool

By Paula Pyzik Scott

In my limited experience, Arbor Day events are not big on drama. During Bluffton’s 2024 event at the Community Pool, two tiny party crashers upstaged members of the Tree Commission for the entire hour the Icon was there.

While the commissioners struggled to dig holes in soil that is both rocky and heavy clay, a pair of killdeer showed us that we were unwanted guests. A nest of four eggs was uncomfortably close to the Tree Commission’s work zone. The expectant parents scolded us and tried to lure us away with dramatic shows of being injured.

Respectful of the birds but undaunted, the humans set about their task of planting a total of five “Southern Central” honey locusts and “Espresso” Kentucky coffee trees. The trees have been placed between the paved and gravel parking lots at the pool located at 205 Snider Rd. The trees will provide valuable shade and help to cool the area.

Members of the Tree Commission are Leo Herrera, Radha Taque, Becky Ramey, Jon Sommer, and Jonathan Andreas. 

Village Council liaison Ben Stahl notes that there is room for three more members on the commission. The group advises council on the selection, placement and care of public trees and notifies property owners when diseased or dead private trees require attention.

Bluffton has been a Tree City USA community for over 30 years. This designation shows that the Village of Bluffton actively promotes a healthy urban forest.

LEARN MORE
Information about the Bluffton Tree Commission is HERE in CHAPTER 93: VILLAGE TREES of the Village of Bluffton Code of Ordiances.