On one of the prettiest days of the year so far at Bethlehem’s Rose Garden, local dignitaries, friends of the park and members of UNICA District IV, Bethlehem Chapter, met to recognize Arbor Day and to plant the silverbell (Halesia tetraptera) sapling near the Christopher Columbus Memorial located on the Union Boulevard side of the park.

UNICA, which translates to “unique” or “one of a kind” in Italian, is the largest Italian-American service organization in the United Sates. The organization was represented by its local chapter president, Michelle Pelizoto.

After carefully orienting the root ball in the waiting hole, Bethlehem City Forester Cindy Smith turned the official planting duties over to local women, including Christine Roysdon, who has been instrumental in getting grants and design work to rehabilitate the park, to do the ceremonial spade work. Roysdon is a member the Mt. Airy Neighborhood Association.

Planting of the silverbell tree marked the start of the landscaping planned as part of he Rose Garden Re-Imagined Project. The silverbell blooms in the spring; its white flower hangs down as its petals form a bell shape. The bloom’s pistils resemble bell clappers inside the bell.

A few minutes before the ceremony, the attendees had assembled in the log replica of the first house in Bethlehem at the park, where Alexander Karras, the mayor’s chief of staff, and city Forester Cindy Smith accepted Bethlehem’s Tree City USA Award and the Growth Award from Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Assistant District Forester Richard Hartlieb.

“I do hereby proclaim April 26, 2019 as Arbor Day in the City of Bethlehem,” said Karras. “I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands.”

This was the 26th year that the city has been awarded a Tree City USA award and the 11th year for the Growth Award.

City Forester Smith addressed the small assembly, saying, “We become so entrenched in the routine of everyday life that we neglect to take time to enjoy and appreciate our surroundings.

“A large, important part of the natural element is our urban forests. Environmentally, trees improve our air quality. They intercept particulate matter and absorb gaseous contaminants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.”

She added that trees help prevent erosion and help with storm water management.

Trees add to society too, said Smith. “Green spaces in parks provide more pleasing recreational areas for people to gather and kids to play.”

Smith touched on the economic benefits of trees, saying, “They help us conserve energy. Property values are higher in neighborhoods with tree-lined streets.”

Eugene Corsi, of the charter member of the Bethlehem Chapter of UNICO and a retired PA State Policeman, spoke about the charitable organization’s scholarship program. “We are lucky that we are still able to raise money. We give and give to people that really need it.”