NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- On Monday, December 2, the South Carolina Forestry Commission presented the City of North Myrtle Beach with their 19 years of Tree City USA status.
Ann Huyler, the Urban Forestry Specialist for the Pee Dee Region, presented the City of North Myrtle Beach with their 19 Years of Tree City USA status Reflecting on the significance of this milestone, Ann shared her thoughts:
"The South Carolina Forestry Commission has mentioned to many that the North Myrtle Beach Tree Board is one of the premier tree boards in South Carolina. I am in 14 counties along the eastern side, and they punch way above their weight for a 20,000 population. Even with development and tourism, they recently obtained their tree canopy map, and North Myrtle Beach has 39% tree canopy cover. North Myrtle Beach has been kicking it! Your Parks & Public Grounds crews organize and plant back what is taken down. They have planted 130 trees just this year in public spaces, pruned 108, and only removed 51 hazardous trees. I do want to say that public land is very small. It is only 10%, maybe 20%, and 80%, 90% is private land. To hold that amount of canopy cover, even with development going on, is huge. The Mayor, City Council, Parks & Public Grounds, and the North Myrtle Beach Tree Board all work together to keep North Myrtle Beach cool, green, family oriented, inviting, and a happy place for all residents and visitors. Planting trees along roadways is hard work, and these guys are doing their very best for North Myrtle Beach, and achieving more than double or even five times this population."
Tree City USA is a program that provides communities with a four-step framework to maintain and grow their tree cover. It also gives them an avenue to celebrate their work, showing residents, visitors, and the entire country that they’re committed to the mission of environmental change. The four-step framework includes maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day. Tree City USA began in 1976 and is one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs.
During the December 2 City Council Meeting, Mayor Hatley along with the North Myrtle Beach City Council proclaimed December 6, 2024 as Arbor Day and urged all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands.
On Friday, December 6, the City of North Myrtle Beach recognized Arbor Day.
The Driftwood Garden Club planted an Autumn Blaze Maple in honor of Emily Floyd Stephens, a dedicated community member. Emily actively contributed to the Driftwood Garden Club, the North Myrtle Beach Tree Board, and Christmas events throughout the City, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
The North Myrtle Beach Tree Board presented a Live Oak to the City of North Myrtle Beach. The Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation, Jim Grainger, accepted the tree on behalf of the City.
Both trees were planted at City Hall. It was a beautiful ceremony with many kind remarks and sweet memories shared.
The North Myrtle Beach Tree Board was established in 2005 to manage public trees, with special concern for heritage trees (24” diameter or greater) and to advise the City in all tree-related matters. Since 2006, the City has been awarded the status of Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The board remains very active in fulfilling the requirements of the Tree City USA program by hosting an annual Arbor Day celebration, recognizing Earth Day, and holding various tree-related events throughout the year.