Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/TCJ: A new tree nursery was unveiled and celebrated on Arbor Day, April 24, in the City of Charlotte. This larger tree is a boundary tree for the nursery, which about 280 saplings planted that afternoon.)
Arbor Days come and go, and often celebrations follow a routine.
This year’s City of Charlotte commemoration was an exception.
Periods of rain actually added to the April 24 event, where the city held a ribbon cutting to welcome a tree nursery and celebrated the importance of trees in the community.
Charlotte has been recognized as a Tree City USA for over 35 consecutive years. Since 2025, talks have been held to establish the city’s own tree nursery. City Manager Vince Pastue said over the last year, along with the Park Advisory Board, “it has really come to life…and now it is a legacy for the future.”
Most of the city council was present for the ceremony, including Justin Brummette, the owner of Big Kid Treeworx, who gave of his time and talents to the nursery’s creation, as well as members of the Department of Public Works, Cooper Frost of the city’s planning commission, and Michigan DNR representatives.
About two dozen or so gathered as a symbolic tree was planted. Pastue opened the ceremony, followed by Department of Public Works Director Stephanie Whitney reciting a tree poem entitled “Stand Tall,” written by her executive assistant, Anissa Buiskool.
Mayor Fullerton read an official proclamation marking the day, and following the planting, Pastue spoke and read a dedication, again penned by Buiskool.
After the ceremonies were concluded and refreshments were served, a half-dozen or so volunteers got to work, planting 280 saplings in fabric pouches.
Frost said there were eight species of trees being planted, and that fruit trees would also be added to the site.
More plans are in the works for the nursery, which could become a teaching opportunity as well. The nursery is located behind the Armory at 1310 S. Cochran Ave.
