Mount Prospect hosts Arbor Day ceremony Friday

The Village of Mount Prospect Public Works Department will host an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony at 9:15 a.m. Friday at St. Emily School, at 1400 E. Central Road, in Mount Prospect.

The tree will be planted along the East Henry Street parkway, north of the St. Emily Campus. The public is invited.

During the ceremony, Mayor Arlene Juracek, various village officials, and students and staff from St. Emily will plant a Persian Ironwood tree in the parkway. Students will perform songs and poems to commemorate the occasion.

Also helping with the planting will be members of the Garden Club of Mount Prospect, which has contributed funds to help the village purchase the Arbor Day tree. Public Works mascot P.W. Paws will make a special appearance.

The village also will commemorate its recent receipt of the Tree City USA (TCU) Award and Growth Award from the Arbor Day foundation in Nebraska. This is the 29th consecutive year Mount Prospect has received the TCU award, and the 12th year for the Growth Award, for the village's urban forestry program.

"Planting a tree is a great way to celebrate Arbor Day," said Sandy Clark, Mount Prospect Forestry/Grounds Superintendent.

The village is encouraging residents to plant trees throughout the community, and is making available the latest information about diversified tree species that are appropriate for planting in the area. Interested citizens should contact Public Works at (847) 870-5640.