Earlier this month The Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Bureau presented the city of Glidden with the 2015 Tree City USA Growth Award. The award, says State Forester Paul Tauke, is given to communities who have made a commitment to the management of public trees. He adds that, “The City of Glidden has provided an outstanding example for other Iowa communities by enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations.” To qualify for the award a city must, at a minimum, provide education and public relations, partnerships, planning and management, as well as tree planting and maintenance in their communities.
Last year, Glidden commissioned a study which showed 22% of the city’s trees were comprised of ash trees while over 40% were maples. The 30 page report, delivered in May of 2015, gave Glidden officials a better overview of how they could diversify the city’s tree species and what strategies to instigate against an encroaching emerald ash borer threat to the city’s nearly 100 ash trees. Glidden was one of 18 other Iowa communities nominated for the 2015 Tree City USA Growth Award.
