Looking out the window on Friday, conditions might belie a daydedicated to trees.

But while the city of Brookhaven has long observed Arbor Day,Thursday marked the first day it is an official observance, asMayor Les Bumgarner signed into being an official Arbor Dayproclamation. The measure declares Mississippi’s Arbor Day,February 12, as Brookhaven’s official Arbor Day as well.

Besides the fact that Brookhaven now has a signed document thatproclaims the holiday, it is also closer to a goal that some cityleaders have long reached for: To become a Tree City USAmember.

“It’s one of the four standards to participate in Tree City USA,”said Ward Six Alderman David Phillips. “We’ve done it for years,but we’re just formally doing it now.”

A city must also have completed an application and set up a treeboard. City board members have agreed that each alderman willappoint a knowledgeable representative to the tree board inupcoming months.

In addition, the city must have an ordinance setting guidelinesabout trees on city property, as well as the proclamation honoringArbor Day, aimed at informing the community about the positives ofhaving trees.

Finally, a city must donate $2 per capita to maintain urbanforests, officials said.

“We have all that in place now except the board,” Bumgarnersaid.

Ward Four Alderman Shirley Estes said there has been a small groupof people who have worked toward the beautification of the citythrough trees and other greenery.

“This has been being done for several years, the tree planting andmaintenance and landscaping, under the auspices of the chamber ofcommerce’s appearance committee and Brookhaven Beautiful,” shesaid. “Of course with the support of the community, the city andthe county.”

Phillips pointed out that the Lincoln County Soil ConservationDistrict is also doing a good job of passing along the value oftrees through community awareness.

“And I want to thank the board for being progressive, because thisis another tool in the overall comprehensive plan to beautify thecity and promote the quality of life,” he said.

Estes pointed out that members the First Impressions tour that camethrough almost a year and a half ago had pointed out the beauty ofthe city, primarily based on the foliage.

And Bumgarner thanked Phillips, Estes and Alderman at Large KarenSullivan for working together on the facets of the Tree City USAapplication.

“The other board members too, for working with them,” he said.”This is what we can accomplish when everyone workstogether.”

Meanwhile Estes said there is already more tree work to be done, aslawmakers brought home 200 saplings from the Mississippi MunicipalLeague Mid-Winter Conference. 100 will be planted in the city, and100 in the county. They will be put in parks, right of ways, andpublic areas, she said. The trees were donated by the MississippiUrban Forest Council.