LINDEN – The city will hold an Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, June 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Linden Free Public Library, 31 East Henry Street, Mayor Richard Gerbounka and Shade Tree Commissioner Jeffrey A. Tandul announced.
The event will include the ceremonial planting of a white pine grown from seeds that flew in space. The seeds traveled aboard the Space Shuttle during one of its missions and were returned to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Community Forestry Program. The seeds were used to grow trees that have been distributed to various towns. This is the final year that the Space Shuttle trees are available.
In addition, 15 trees will be planted to mark the 150th anniversary of Linden. A time capsule dedication will also be made to commemorate the city’s anniversary and the end of the Space Shuttle program. If all goes according to plan, the time capsule will be opened 150 years from now in 2162.
The program is open to the public, and the Community Forestry Program will distribute information about proper tree planting and pruning, as well as free tree seedlings.
In the event of rain, the tree-planting event will be postponed until Sunday, June 10, from noon-1 p.m.
