Rehoboth’s Tree City USA designation continues to take root

For the 32nd consecutive year, the City of Rehoboth Beach has been designated a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. This designation recognizes a community’s commitment to caring for and managing its public trees.

Over the past couple of years, the City of Rehoboth Beach has worked to overhaul its tree ordinance to make it more clear, concise and user-friendly. Among other things, the revised ordinance provides greater measures for tree protection during construction and simplifies mitigation for removed trees. The board of commissioners will hold a workshop meeting at 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 11, that is expected to be one of its final discussions on the proposed tree code before considering adoption. The public is invited to provide feedback on the proposed code.

Last fall, the city planted 38 flowering street trees on Delaware Avenue to mitigate tree loss that occurred when the Delaware Avenue comfort station was expanded and upgraded. The project was funded through a $5,000 grant from the Delaware Forest Service and the city’s ongoing commemorative tree fund.

“Our extensive tree canopy is part of what makes Rehoboth unique as a coastal town, and it plays an important role in helping to make Rehoboth feel like a community and not just a beach resort,” said Liz Lingo, city arborist. “We’re proud of our long tradition of being a Tree City USA, and committed to maintaining and enhancing our healthy tree canopy.”

City officials, along with Rehoboth Elementary School students and Delaware Forest Service representatives, will celebrate Arbor Day and the city’s recognition as a Tree City USA at a tree-planting ceremony Friday, April 21.