Trumbull Holds Tree Planting Ceremony To Celebrate Arbor Day: PHOTOS

TRUMBULL, CT — The town held an Arbor Day celebration Friday morning at Indian Ledge Park, during which participants could help plant a tree adjacent to the park's gravel lot, directly across the grass field from the amphitheater.

Participants included the Parks and Recreation Department, Sustainable Trumbull, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and residents interested in helping beautify Indian Ledge, one of Trumbull's biggest parks and recreational areas.

Speaking to a crowd gathered at the amphitheater prior to the planting ceremony, DEEP Spokesperson Dave Beers congratulated Trumbull for being one of only 19 towns in Connecticut to be designated a "Tree City" through the Arbor Day Foundation due to its dedication to community trees.

According to Recreation Program Manager Noreen Wilpiszeski, the inaugural 2024 ceremony marks the first full year Trumbull has been designated a tree city.

"Part of our pledge to the Arbor Day Foundation is that we actually have to do some type of celebration," Wilpiszeski said, "so we figured this year we would do something really nice and big. It's a little chilly out, so I'm glad that everyone did come out this morning."

The tree planted during the ceremony, adjacent to the gravel lot directly across the grass field from the amphitheater, is a zumi crabapple, which can grow to be about 15 to 20 feet tall at maturity.

About 30 trees in total were set to be planted at the park Friday, according to Wilpiszeski.

"I can't wait to watch it bloom in a couple of weeks," Wilpiszeski said. "I hear it's going to have some pink flowers on it...it will be so cute, but what's great about all these trees that are being planted is that they're not going to grow to be too big for this space. These plantings are all designed to happen with the elements that we have in this area. The guys do a great job researching and really knowing the tundra and knowing what can thrive out here, and these are all trees that are set up for success up here [at Indian Ledge Park]."

Wilpiszeski also stressed the importance of honoring Arbor Day due to the key role trees play in the community.

"Trees are what makes oxygen for the town," Wilpiszeski said. "All the trees that we plant are helping the benefit of the community overall, so it's really important that we continue that mission to really keep planting trees and keep making the town a better place. It also looks beautiful at the park."