CLINTON — The Clinton Tree Commission will conduct its 20th annual Arbor Day Celebration at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, in the 1100 block of E. Washington Street.  

Volunteers will plant a sassafras tree in memory of Spencer Toohill, given by family, friends and the local Boy Scout troop.  The rain location will be Douglas School.

Tree Commission representatives will recognize fifth grade Arbor Day poster contest winners.  Contest winners were honored by the Clinton City Council on April 15.  

Mayor Roger Cyrulik, fifth grade Arbor Day poster contest winners, third and fourth grade student delegates and members of the Clinton Tree Commission will plant  trees on Saturday.  Exelon will participate in the activities. The Clinton Boy Scouts will perform a flag ceremony. Arbor Day poster contest winners will receive prizes provided by Grimsley’s Flowers.

Clinton Tree Commission sponsors the city’s Arbor Day events.  The commission strives to improve the quality of life in Clinton by planting and maintaining the city’s trees.  

The Commission has earned the annual “Tree City USA” designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation for the past 19 years, earning growth awards for work from 2009-2018.

Other Tree Commission accomplishments have included creation of an Urban Forestry Management Plan, development of an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, establishment of the Clinton City Arboretum and completion of a city tree inventory.

Clinton Tree Commission members include John Baker, chairman, Dr. Harold Allen, Mary Mitchell-Stites, Diane Holl and John Wise.