TOCCOA IS A TREE CITY Here in Downtown Toccoa, we appreciate our trees. Downtown design can be seen as something of an “urban forest,” and trees contribute not only to the natural beauty of an area, but, especially in a downtown, the historic accuracy of the area. Because we recognize the importance of trees, in 2006, Toccoa was first designated as a Tree City USA at the Georgia Arbor Day Ceremony by the Georgia Urban Forest Council. What does this mean? It means that we spend at least $2 per capita on tree planting, maintenance, pruning, and education in our efforts to beautify the City of Toccoa through natural efforts. It means we have a Tree Ordinance and a Tree City board (our Planning Commission), both of which help to determine uniformity in design and maintenance.
As a Tree City, we host a yearly Arbor Day celebration, usually culminating in the planting of trees downtown. This past year, we hosted Tim Womick, the “modern-day Johnny Appleseed,” who taught our school-aged children all about trees and the ecosystem. Being a Tree City isn’t just a designation. It’s a way of life for us. That’s why we are proud to have been awarded the 2018 Outstanding Community Grand Award from the Georgia Urban Forest Council. Next time you’re downtown, try to imagine it without a single tree. It would sure look a lot less welcoming, wouldn’t it?
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