Cape Girardeau Tree Board plants tree at Osage Centre for Arbor Day

The Cape Girardeau Tree Board planted a red bud tree at the Osage Community Centre April 6 in observance of Arbor Day. The observance by Cape Girardeau is one of the criteria for its recognition as a Tree City USA.

2007 is the 10th year Cape Girardeau has been a Tree City USA. Cape Girardeau met the four standards to be designated as a Tree City USA. These ask that a city has a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.

"The trees in Cape Girardeau help clean the air, conserve soil and water, and reduce heating and cooling costs by moderating temperatures," said John Rosenow, president of the National Arbor Day Foundation. "Tree City USA honors the countless men, women and children in Cape Girardeau who are working hard to ensure a greener, healthier tomorrow for us all."