The Village of Flat Rock celebrated Arbor Day on Saturday with a ceremony at The Park at Flat Rock. The event featured the planting of nine new trees in The Park and allowed the Village to meet a key requirement for its future designation as a Tree City USA community.

Matt Toner, Chairman of the Village’s Parks and Recreation Commission, helped plan the event in cooperation with Park Commission member Georgia Bonesteel and Village Council member Tom Carpenter. The celebration was organized to highlight The Park’s role in providing green space for thousands of visitors each year and to honor Flat Rock’s commitment to preserving its trees. “A Tree City USA designation helps create a focus on trees for our community,” explained Matt. “It also communicates what our priorities are here in Flat Rock.”

Participating in the tree planting process were local Cub Scouts who helped dig the holes for the new trees on Friday and then returned Saturday morning to help plant The Park’s newest arboreal neighbors. Georgia Bonesteel particularly enjoyed seeing the young people participate. “It was the ultimate All-American experience to see these Cub Scouts dig these holes and help plant our new trees. They really got in there and did most of the work.” She also sees the new tress as an important addition to The Park. “Trees really are priceless. They provide beauty and a place to sit and ponder life.”


The Park’s new trees run parallel to King Creek at the back of The Park and were donated by Ace Hardware and Raymond’s Garden Center. Included in the list of new trees are a Sugar Maple, Dogwood, Autumn Maple, Red Bud, Horse Chestnut, Black Gum, and the tree which Georgia is most excited about, a Dawn Redwood Metasequoia. The Dawn Redwood was a common forest tree during the time of the dinosaurs and was thought to be extinct - known only through fossil records. Incredibly, a few living specimens were discovered in remote parts of China during World War II. All of the Dawn Redwood trees growing in this country are descended from seeds that were discovered and collected during the war. From dinosaurs to fossils to China, and now to Flat Rock, a tree with an incredible lineage will now call our Village home.

Tom Carpenter noted that trees are not only beautiful, but they provide an important service to the health of the planet as well. “The importance of a designation as a Tree City USA community is the recognition of the value of trees. If you are concerned about climate change, plant a tree.” Also joining in the celebration was Henderson County Ranger Kristen Kelly of the North Carolina Forest Service. The Forest Service plays a central role in awarding Tree City USA certification to communities and she was on hand to witness the Village’s first Annual Arbor Day Celebration.

While the adults provided the organization and the planning, the Cub Scouts clearly provided the energy and enthusiasm. Small but willing muscles excavated the holes for the new trees and then shoveled dirt and nutrients around the Park’s newest leafy residents. Bridget Monroe, Cub Master for Packs 611, 613, and 620, sees Arbor Day events like this one as a great opportunity for the young scouts. “They learn to appreciate nature and how to enjoy time outdoors,” she says. “They are also learning the names of different kinds of trees, they are becoming more aware of the natural world around them.”

The Park Commission plans for the Arbor Day Celebration event to “grow” in the future and to serve as the Village’s commitment to remind residents and neighbors about the importance of trees. Park Ranger, John Wilkerson, sees the event as another step in the development of The Park. “This event emphasizes the importance of maintaining our trees here in The Park as well as the importance of adding more trees as time goes on.”

For Matt Toner, the event held special significance for someone who grew up in a very urban environment. “ I was born in New York City. So getting out to The Park with all the trees and green spaces does my soul good. The Park provides a wonderful escape from the everyday. It’s a place to get out to enjoy the natural world and rejuvenate.”