City of Thomaston Tree Board

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. John Muir

A LITTLE CREPE MYRTLE HISTORY AT CREPE MYRTLE TIME

"Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) was introduced into the United States around the time of
its founding. It was quickly propagated and grown throughout the south. The only species grown
in the US was Lagerstroemia indica, which blooms for a long time but is susceptible to powdery
mildew. For over 200 years this shrub has been bred and improved cultivars released."
https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/4220/A-History-of-the-Crepe-Myrtle/

The Thomaston Tree Board was so pleased to celebrate this wonderful Brownie Troop in planting an apple tree at Lakeside Park!

These Brownies really got their hands dirty in planting the tree. They are assisted by Public Works Director Kyle McGee and
Tree Board Member Sarah Armstrong.

The Thomaston Tree Board congratulates Public Works Director Kyle McGee's new designation as a Certified Arborist!

This certification is granted by the International Society of Arboriculture and is quite an accomplishment!

https://isa-arbor.com

Miss Coweta County for 2024, Ms. Maliyah Howell visited the Tree Board booth at the recent Art & Soul Festival!

Help us plan an awesome bicentennial celebration!! Please consider filling out this quick survey.

Thomaston-Upson County Bicentennial Community Input Survey Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

Tonia Baldwin (shown here with her husband) was the proud winner of a White Dogwood tree at the Art & Soul Festival!

Linda Wheeler was the proud winner of a Pink Dogwood tree at the Art & Soul Festival!

The Tree Board loved hearing that this Redbud sapling, planted by an Art & Soul attendee last year, is thriving! The board annually partners with the Forestry Commission to distribute tree saplings each year at Thomaston's annual Art & Soul Fest!

The Thomaston Tree Board had a blast at the third annual Thomaston Art & Soul Festival! Photographed are attendee receives a free tree sapling, courtesy of Georgia Forestry Commission and the tree board.

The Thomaston Tree Board celebrates its third year of partnering with the Georgia Forestry Commission for the Thomaston Art & Soul Festival! The GFC brings sapling trees to give away, along with great resource info.

Why Plant Native Trees?

"Weather extremes, either temperature or drought, have shown us one of the best and most practical reasons for using native plants — their adaptations to local climate. Many Georgians will recall the extremely low temperatures in December 1983 and January 1985 that killed or critically damaged many introduced species. Few native plants, however, were injured because of the cold hardiness they had developed over many generations," -University of Georgia Extension Service.

Pictured is the Carolina Silverbell - a deciduous native tree growing 30 to 40 feet in height.

Do You Recognize This Beautiful Oak Tree Near Downtown Thomaston?
Could this be the oldest tree in Thomaston?
We are on the hunt for some of the oldest trees in Thomaston! If you see or know of any trees within the city limits that may be the oldest, please send them our way!

https://www.ecoaddendum.org/living-with-trees/

Public Works Director Kyle McGee oversees the planting of the last of the twenty-seven large trees at Lakeside Park. This was made possible with funding from a $9,000 ReLeaf Grant.

Recycle your Christmas Tree!!! The City of Thomaston is hosting a Christmas tree drop off daily from dawn to dusk through Jan. 14.
Trees can be dropped off at Lakeside Park, located at 800 County Road in Thomaston.
For more information, call 706-647-7144.

Celebrating American Holly, a Georgia native

The American Holly tree has been popular since the beginning of American history, having served natives with wood for different applications and berries that were used for buttons and barter. It was said to be a favorite of George Washington, and more than a dozen Hollies he planted are still evident today. The first scientific observation of the American Holly tree was recorded in 1744.
https://arbordayblog.org/treeoftheweek/american-holly-mystic-icon/

FEATURING TREES NATIVE TO GEORGIA: Sourwood, a year-round beauty!

This small to medium size tree was chosen as the Georgia Native Plant Society's Plant of the Year in 2004. A close relative of azaleas and rhododendrons, this tree has something to offer in all seasons.
https://gnps.org/plant/sourwood-oxydendrum-arboreum-2/

FEATURING TREES NATIVE TO GEORGIA: Loblolly Pine, Georgia's Giant!

This fast-growing tree can top 100 feet and is the leading commercial timber species in the southern U.S.
http://www.gatrees.gov/reforestation/species-descriptions/pines/index.cfm

FEATURING TREES NATIVE TO GEORGIA: The Delightful Sassafras
This small-to-medium-size tree grows in every county in Georgia. Historically, it has been used for a range of purposes. The Georgia Native Plant Society named it the Plant of the Year in 2013. Read more: https://gnps.org/plant/sassafras-sassafras-albidum/

FEATURING TREES NATIVE TO GEORGIA: The Majestic American Sycamore

This large, fast-growing tree provides wonderful shade. Wildlife love it for its shelter and winter fruit.

🌲✨GREAT TREE SPOTLIGHT!✨🌲

Congratulations to Russ Norris, whose trees have been chosen for the September Thomaston Tree Board “Great Tree” Spotlight!

On the south side of downtown Thomaston, Russ not only has a beautiful and large oak tree, but showcases great use of pairing lower and upper canopy trees throughout his front yard.

If you know of other wonderful trees within the city limits of Thomaston that deserve a spotlight, message our page and let us know!