Aurora marks Arbor Day with poetry and tree planting ceremony

The city of Aurora is to observe Arbor Day and National Poetry Month in one fell swoop.

At Aurora's annual tree-planting ceremony, set for 10 a.m. Friday, April 29, both the work of a longtime Aurora arborist and Aurora's present and past poet laureates are to be honored.

The "Legacy and Poet-Tree" event designates a new Poet-Tree Grove that is to be installed adjacent to the Swimming Stones across from 18 W. Benton St. Four river birch trees will be named in honor of Aurora Poet Laureate Karen Christensen and Deputy Poet Laureates Quentin Johnson, Fermina Ponce, and Anthony Stanford.

Then a chinquapin oak tree is to be planted one block away at 31 W. Downer Place along in honor of the legacy of longtime Aurora Tree Board member and arborist Bill Chinetti. Chinetti is the owner of Arbor Legacy and a certified arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture.

The ceremony is open to the public, and five tree starter kits are to be distributed via a special drawing.

For more information, visit aurora-il.org.