On Thursday, city officials held their annual Arbor Day celebration with a tree planting ceremony at Allen Park. Dan Stone, city parks manager, said this is the 40th consecutive year Jamestown has been named a Tree City USA, a program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

Stone thanked all the past park managers and employees, past and current members of the city Parks, Recreation and Conservation Committee members current and former members of the Jamestown City Council and current and past mayors for supporting the urban forest.

“It’s my privilege and an honor that this year marks a tremendous achievement for the city of Jamestown,” he said.

Stone said the cornerstone for the city’s urban forestry program is the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, which has financially supported the city’s Tree City USA program for many years.

A wood carving by Vince Liuzzo — also known as Vince The Tree Guy — representing the city’s 40th consecutive year as being named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The wood carving was from one of the former West Third Street oak trees. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

“They have been involved since day one and they have been our biggest supporter,” he said.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist told the crowd of about 35 people attending the Arbor Day celebration that when Stone, who was the former city arborist, was applying to be the new parks manager, he insisted on still wanting to take care of the trees in the city.

“It’s been 40 years, which is older than I am,” Sundquist joked about the city’s Tree City USA status.

Jeff Brockelback of the state DEC presented a plaque and flag acknowledging the city’s 40 years as a Tree City USA during the celebration. Vince Liuzzo — also known as Vince The Tree Guy — presented a wood carving honoring the city’s 40 years as part of the National Arbor Day Foundation program.

Stone said 10 trees were planted at the park Thursday, which included two flax-mill majesty sugar maples and two worplesdon sweetgum trees, which were funded via a grant from the state Urban forestry council. The other trees planted included two crimson cloud hawthorn, two serviceberry and two crabapple.

Each year Stone presents an “Arbor Day Rhyme” for those in attendance, and Thursday was no different.

“I wanted to do something nifty, by planning my first tree since I turned 50,” Stone said as part of his rhyme.

People can make a tax-deductible donation toward the city’s urban forestry fund through the Community Foundation by sending a check to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701. For more information, visit crcfonline.org or jamestownny.gov.