On a chilly but sunny February afternoon last Thursday, City public officials and volunteers gathered to celebrate the Dahlonega Arbor Day Ceremony.
Speaking to the gathering on the Square, Dahlonega Mayor JoAnne Taylor read an Arbor Day Proclamation as she stood next to two new sugar maple trees donated by Tree Committee volunteers Chris and Kimberly Mihok.
They were joined at the ceremony by City Council members, staff from City Hall, the Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority and Mainstreet Program, and the Public Works Department.
The two trees were added in the planters on the north side of the square to replace the pair of overgrown trees that were recently removed on the site of the famous Bear on the Square tree.
Taylor said she wanted to acknowledge the “very important work” done by the tree committee, which is made up of all volunteers.
The two new maples weren’t the only new trees in the city limits, Taylor said. She added that they have also planted two pecan trees in Hancock Park, two pecan trees near the Dahlonega sign past the middle school, and new pawpaw and persimmon trees in the city.
Kimberly Mihok told The Nugget that the committee also planted the new October Glory red maple that now sits on the northwest lawn of the Gold Museum.
Regarding the new pair of sugar maples, Mihok said they decided to name them “Faith” and “Hope.”
She added that the new trees are expected to grow one foot per year, which should help them achieve a good height on that side of the square in just a few years.
