VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Over six hundred hours of volunteer time have been donated to beautifying Valley City this past spring, summer and fall by members of the Image and Beautification Committee in Valley City along with other volunteers.
In addition our city forester, Dr. Bob Anderson, has spent hours working on a variety of projects keeping alive our commitment to trees and the environment here in Valley City.
Sharon Buhr said the benefits of trees are many. She said trees are cost-effective solutions to combat the adverse effects of climate change, such as extreme heat, droughts, and floods. Trees are the only piece of infrastructure that gains value over time. They also help conserve energy, cool streets and homes, save water, prevent soil erosion and provide food and much more.
Many volunteer hours were spent at the pollinator garden and Orchard on 5th Avenue north east. Dr. Madeline Luke has taken the lead for that project. Remember to check it out next summer to see the variety of fruit and nut trees. A great way to see what some of the trees are like before you choose one for your own yard.
Another area in town that volunteers plant and keep weeded is Hinchberger Park near the Brothers 3 with Jill Christensen leading that group of volunteers.
The emerald ash borer will soon be in Valley City. To get a better understanding what this will mean for our town, Forester Anderson began a green ash inventory on city property. He worked with the ND Forest Service on this project and identified that 29% of boulevard trees in Valley City are green ash. Anderson wrote a $10,000 tree grant proposal for spring 2025 tree planting, and oversaw over 100 trees planted this past spring and fall. Becky Heise the secretary for the Image Committee reports that over the years the committee has written grants and planted over 1200 trees. Many homeowners have questions about tree health/disease, what to plant and pruning questions. Anderson is happy to meet with any home owner; just phone city hall to connect with him.
Watering new trees is crucial to their growth. Dr. James Buhr, one of the Image Committee volunteers was busy this summer, hooking up the watering tank to his van and traveling throughout Valley City watering young trees planted in the past couple of years.
The Image and Beautification Committee is looking for volunteers to help plant, water and care for the newly planted trees next spring/summer. Call Sharon Buhr at 840-0973 if you are interested.
In the feature photo, Dr. James Buhr is setting up the Image and Beautification watering tank. This summer he consistently watered over 100 newly planted trees in Valley City helping the city retain its moniker of Tree City USA.