Jacksonville has recently hired a City Forester. Using funds given by the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Grant, the city’s Tree Commission chose George Barker from Natural Resource Consulting to research the state of Jacksonville’s urban forest.

“We are looking at the trees on several city properties,” said Barker. “We are looking at what kind of species composition there is, we always like to have a diversity of species so if you do get diseases in a particular species, you don’t lose your entire tree count.”

Along with species, Barker’s report will also give the ages of the trees in the city. According to Barker, many cities have a collection of old and young trees, but lack mid-age trees.

“Back in the early 1920s, people planted a lot of trees, oak trees and big shade trees,” he said. “Then, we got away from that back in the 1950s, and back in the 1980s, we started planting again. So, we usually have a big void of mid-aged trees.”

Barker will also keep an eye out for ‘hazard trees’ – trees that can potentially do damage to people and property.

“We are also looking for trees that might have problems,” said Barker. “Big trees that might have a lot of decay that need to come out, or some bad limbs on them that need to come out just to keep from harming people. The city has a responsibility to keep its citizens safe and you don’t want a big limb over a playground or a picnic table falling and ruining someone’s picnic.”

Barker has been going out and inspecting trees for 20 years. He even married someone who enjoys trees as much as he does. Barker’s wife, Rachel Barker, is also helping out Jacksonville’s urban forest. She will help train city workers on how to maintain trees in the city

“I am more of a tree person, and she deals more with how to make it happen,” said Barker.

In addition to having the urban forester come in, the City of Jacksonville has also been accepted as a Tree City U.S.A. According to their website, Tree City U.S.A. is a program that is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. The program provides direction, technical assistance, public attention and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in towns like Jacksonville.

In order to be called a Tree City U.S.A., cities must first meet certain standards set by the program. A city must have a tree committee, issue a tree care ordnance, have an Arbor Day observance and establish a community forestry program that is supported by an annual budget of at least $2 per capita.

To celebrate the honor, the city is holding an award ceremony celebrating the new distinction. The event will take place April 29th at 1:30 p.m. in Jacksonville’s City Hall. Event coordinators say that the event is open to the public and encourage everyone to come celebrate.

Jacksonville’s mayor, Johnny Smith, says it is important to recognize the impact trees have on the lives of Jacksonville citizens.

“Trees add so much to the quality of life for Jacksonville residents,” said Smith.