Arbor Day

NORTHVILLIANS,

As we approach Arbor Day this Friday (4/30) and having celebrated Earth Day last week (4/22), I would like to reflect on our local conservation efforts, which includes caring for our prize-winning trees in the Northville area.  Many do not realize that we have National Champion trees in our community with a LONG history.

Arbor Day activities throughout history…

• STARTING WITH THE PRESENT:  The Arbor Day Foundation just awarded the City of Northville the great distinction of becoming a “Certified Tree City”.  While it has been some years since the City last accomplished this, it is not the first time.  The community also achieved Tree City status in past years under the leadership of former Mayors Chris Johnson & Mike Allen, among others. Criteria requires that a community has a tree ordinance, a tree Board/Commission, a community forest program with budget, and an Arbor Day proclamation & observance. 
• Notably, as early as 1892 The Northville Record printed an Arbor Day Proclamation from our Governor for all citizens of Michigan.
• Arborday.org states that the benefits of trees are immense and can include: Increasing property values, reduced energy consumption, reinvigoration & uniting of neighborhoods, reduced crime (believe it), benefits to wildlife, reduced impact of climate change, along with creating cooling & cleansing of our drinking water and air.
• Words from our tree commission (Thom Barry & Tom Voytal): “They stand silent before us, providing comfort, support and shade.  Many have witnessed the formation of our town … They are as much our history as the structures we protect.  They need a voice and deserve our protection.”
• Working through the Sustainability Committee, Northville citizens have embarked on a campaign to identify our historical tree species in our public spaces. I encourage you on your next walk to envision what these landmark trees have seen in their time – from the birth of a community that became a village and eventually a town, the days of the Civil War, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address that echoed across the nation, Henry Ford walking the streets of our town, just to name a few.
• And as you stroll our streets, LOOK FOR TREE TAGS on Northville’s old growth mature trees.  Specimen and legacy tree locations include a Black Walnut on Rogers, a Sycamore on W. Cady, an Elm in Library Park, a White Oak on Main St. and a resplendent Silver Maple on Eaton Drive with a girth of 189 inches around (almost 16 feet).  A little-known fact – maples in the Orchards Heights area were tapped for maple syrup back in our early days.
• In 1960 Jack Hoffman (Editor of The Record) mentioned that the Northville/Novi area was fast becoming known for its exceptionally large trees throughout the state and even the nation. At that time, Northville had TWO National champion trees and FOUR State champions. A Black Maple on 9 Mile & Center was declared a National Champion and certified as the largest in the U.S.
       Other winners included:
  • A White Mulberry located on High Street (girth – 122 inches, 68 foot spread & 69 feet tall)
  • A Norway Spruce on Novi Road (girth – 130 inches, 67 foot spread & 74 feet high)
  • A Black Walnut on Rogers (now with a girth of 183 inches)
  • Other magnificent trees of note are the Scots Pines in Northville’s Cass Benton Park, the giant White Oak in front of Guernsey Dairy, and the Beech Trees at Maybury State Park.
• Jack Hoffman in 1960 wrote about a giant pear tree at the childhood home of one of Northville’s Old Timers, Seth Benton (as in Cass Benton Park) on 7 Mile. “That tree stood 30 feet high in 1902,” Seth said, and was still growing in 1960.  Imagine the stories it could tell! In fact, in my own back yard in “Orchard Heights” there are three pear trees original to the Orchard Heights Eaton farm that are probably 150 years old.
• As mentioned in a previous newsletter, the Bennett Arboretum, (oldest in the State) and located in Edward Hines Park between Six & Seven Mile, was established in the 1930’s and still has over 100 of the original 470 specimen trees remaining.  It’s a gem in our own back yard, especially in the fall when the colors are changing.

Take the time today to stroll through town looking for the plaques on some of our landmark trees, walk through the historic Bennett Arboretum or even relax at Ford Field & Mill Race Village.  Everyone should try to enjoy the greenspace, the waterways and especially the trees that create our wonderful surroundings.
In conclusion, I encourage you to have hope in a better tomorrow. Please take the time today to reach out to family, friends, and all in our community.  I ask you to continue to stay safe by masking up, social distancing and washing up often.

Keep that Northville Arbor Day Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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