Students joined with city and state government officials to plant a new tree at A.C. Moore Elementary School, as an Arbor Day celebration Friday morning at ACMES.

Atmore Mayor Jim Staff started digging the hole for the Indian hawthorn sapling, and also read a proclamation from the city. Juanita Smith and Gertha Adams, members of the City Tree Commission, were also in attendance.

Ed Brown, horticulturalist for the city of Atmore, told two classes of ACMES students about the importance of planting trees. He also explained the best places to plant trees, and which trees are best for planting.

He told the kids to be careful not to plant trees under power lines.

Dustyn Tyler, with the Alabama Forestry Commission, also spoke to the students about the importance of trees in nature.

Each student who attended the ceremony was given the opportunity to scoop some dirt into the hole to help the tree grow. The tree is located on the ACMES campus, near the intersection with Laurel and Beck streets.

Staff’s proclamation read as follows:

“Whereas, in 1879, J. Sterling Morton proposed that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees and was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in the state of Nebraska; and continues to be observed throughout the nation and the world as Arbor Day; and,

“Whereas, trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate temperature, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife; and,

“Whereas, trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and beautify our community; are a source of joy and renewal; and,

“Whereas, through planning, planting, proper care, maintenance, timely removal and replacement, their benefit to our City is invaluable.

“Now, therefore, I, Jim Staff, Mayor of the City of Atmore, County of Escambia, State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me join with the state of Alabama in observing Arbor Day activities on April 24, 2015, and throughout the year, recognizing that the economic and aesthetic welfare of the State of Alabama is largely impacted by the health and welfare of the trees and forestlands of the State of Alabama.”

Atmore Advance advertising manager Michelle Smith assisted with this story.