Arbor Day Ceremony Held Friday in Toccoa

The city of Toccoa celebrated Arbor Day with an event Friday at the Toccoa-Stephens County Library.

Toccoa Mayor Evan Hellenga said that trees are an important part of a community.

“Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen and provide a habitat for wildlife,” said Hellenga. “Trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. Trees in our city make neighborhoods healthier and increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community.”

Thirteen Dogwood trees will be planted along Savannah and Sage streets in downtown Toccoa.

Since 1991, Main Street Toccoa has now planted over 279 trees in the downtown Toccoa area.

Since 2004, Toccoa has been one of 112 certified Tree City USA communities in the state of Georgia.

Also as part of the Arbor Day celebration in Toccoa, the library sponsored a Plant a Tree Program and Poster Contest for Children.

Meanwhile, Shantelle Grant with the library read “The Lorax” and made a craft.

Representatives from the Georgia Forestry Commission were also on hand for Friday’s Arbor Day celebration in Toccoa.