Arbor Day

Douglas Arbor Day will return Saturday, May 28, 2011.

In 1998, as part of Douglas 100th year of celebrating Independence Day, the Douglas 4th of July Committee applied and received funds to plant trees along Third Street from Gastineau School to Savikko Park. Red maples were planted on the Gastineau School street side and Prairie Fire pink crab apples were planted on the Douglas Community United Methodist Church side due to power lines & poles.

Over past years, in May on Alaska Arbor Day, the Douglas 4th of July Committee replaced trees lost to vehicle accidents and construction. Due to the construction of the Pioneer Pavilion, trees have not been replaced for two years.

Overall, the red maples have grown very well, except for the 2008 winter. Mainly, the maples by Gastineau School experienced some die-back. We hope they will rebound this summer. The original white crab apples all died, except for two. The pink flowered trees have grown well in spite of two years of hard snow. The crab applies give pink spring color and the maples give Douglas a golden fall.