Thunderbolt Tree Commission hosting its first workday

The City of Thunderbolt has been designated an urban Forest, meaning the city has a collection of trees on both public and private property.

The Thunderbolt Tree Commission is a group that helps communities in the state grow and maintain healthy trees.

The organization of a tree commission was proposed to the Thunderbolt Town Council in 2011, after a group of concerned residents watched helplessly as four mature Live Oak trees were cut down to make room for a parking lot.

Although there was a construction ordinance to protect trees in construction zones, it did not protect the trees on the public and private properties in the town.

A group of volunteers began meeting shortly thereafter and wrote a Tree Ordinance for the town, as well as a Thunderbolt Urban Forest Five Year Plan and a Standards and Specifications document that outlines requirements for tree care and management. Together these documents constitute the towns master plan governing tree maintenance, planting, and removal. Also included in the new Tree Ordinance was the formation of an official six member Tree Commission who are appointed by the town council, with one member serving as the Chairperson.

The Town of Thunderbolt bears the designation as an Urban Forest which is defined as the collection of trees on both public and private properties in a community. In the Urban Forest, a single tree may be as important as a patch of forest remnant An example of this is the Savannah Tree Foundations ongoing efforts to save the Candler Oak which is thought to be one of the oldest living landmarks in our area and is designated a Georgia Landmark and Historic Tree by the Georgia Urban Forest Council.

On Saturday, September 20 The Thunderbolt Tree Commission will be having their first of many workdays in Thomson Park on River Drive from 9:00a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

They invite volunteers to come give a hand, especially students who need community service hours and Master Gardeners who need to put in volunteer hours.

Dont forget to bring work gloves and tools.

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Thunderbolt Tree Commission hosting its first workday