Environmental Affairs and Community Development

Forest Sustainability Program Newsletter

Spring 2025

Arbor Day Edition

Arbor Day - April 25th

Arbor Day is a great time for the community to come together and celebrate the importance of trees and all of the benefits they offer us. Here are just a few of many ways trees upgrade our quality of life:

• Trees offer substantial economic and social benefits with their shade, such as cooling surfaces like asphalt during the summer and lowering costs for air conditioning from canopy shade covering houses. In fact, cities can be cooled by tree canopies by 10 degrees Fahrenheit!

• Trees help minimize erosion with their root stabilization as well as providing windbreaks.

• Forests help with the sequestration (storage) of carbon dioxide.

• Whether in urban or rural habitats, trees provide food and shelter for all types of wildlife

Certified Arborists

The Forest Sustainability Program has exciting news to share with the public. As of April 17th, Jeremy Lowell (Program Coordinator) and Carter Rogers (Assistant Coordinator) have officially become certified arborists through the International Society of Arborists! This certification demonstrates our dedication for tree health management and safe practices. Through this process, we've gained a deeper understanding of tree biology, pruning, diseases, and soil health. It also connects us with a broader network of arborists, allowing us to continue our education and knowledge moving forward. With these certifications, we hope to expand our services and assist landowners who have questions about their tree's health. As our name suggests, forest sustainability is our main goal across the board, and we are here to help any Bay County resident with tree health and long term care.

Arbor Day Events Happening in the Saginaw Bay Region

Here are 3 events happening in our region to celebrate the importance of trees:

1) Bob Ross Run/Walk for the Trees Happy Little 5K: A walk/run to raise funds for trees to be planted at State Parks. This event will be held 4/26/25 at 9:00 am at the Bay City State Park.

2) Tree Planting at Wallen Park: Group tree planting to plant 25 trees at Wallen Park in Midland on April 25th. Volunteers to meet at 8:45 am to sign in and learn from tree experts.

3) 12th Annual Go Green Celebration from the City of Saginaw's Green Team: An educational and celebrational event with giveaways, electronic recycling, seedling distribution, energy efficiency program information, and community resources. Happening on 4/29/25 at 11:00 am at the Saginaw City Hall.

In Bloom

Spring is upon us, and soon the leaves will begin to appear on the trees. That also means many of our Michigan trees will show their beautiful blooms! Here are a few species native to Michigan that you may see flowering this spring:

Dogwood: Their flowers are naturally green to white in color, although pink cultivars can be common. Dogwood usually grows 15-30 feet. They are native to eastern North America, including Michigan.

American Plum: A native tree with white flowers like the Dogwood, this thorny small tree is commonly used as a windbreak for its thick foliage, and the fruit keeps wildlife well-fed.

Eastern Redbud: A shrub-like tree with bright pink flowers, the Redbud is a great addition to any yard. They are beneficial for native insects and pollinators.

American Tulip Tree: Easily the tallest and fastest growing on this list, the tulip tree is the tallest tree in the temperate deciduous forest of North America. It has yellow, orange, and green flowers along with their unique shaped leaves.

Spongy Moth Aerial Treatment is Not Happening in Spring 2025

For the first time in years, the Forest Sustainability Program will not be treating Spongy Moth in Bay County in the spring of 2025. After successful consecutive years of treatment during the most recent outbreak (2020-2024) as well as diligent monitoring, the Forest Sustainability Program could not find any areas within Bay County that met the threshold for treatment. Populations were reduced to tolerable levels, with no notable tree defoliation occurring during the outbreak. Our low population data from our Spongy Moth male traps and fall egg mass monitoring encapsulates how aerial treatment and monitoring methods can aid in stabilizing an outbreak to tolerable levels with very little tree defoliation for landowners.

Spongy Moths are still around though, and homeowners should still be on the lookout for any signs of them on their trees. If you see egg masses on your property, please remember to reach out to us for monitoring. The Forest Sustainability Program will continue to research Spongy Moth trends, and will be prepared should they begin to increase.

Spongy Moth Egg Mass

Have Questions? Contact Us!

Please contact Jeremy Lowell,

Bay County Forest Sustainability

Program Coordinator:

• 515 Center Ave. Suite 503,

Bay City, Michigan 48708

• Via Telephone: (989) 895-4195

• Email: lowellj@baycountymi.gov