Community members gathered at Crescent Park to celebrate Arbor Day, reflect on the importance of urban forestry, and mark the city’s 38th consecutive year as a Tree City USA community.

The event last week featured remarks from local officials, forestry representatives, and members of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Landscape Commission, highlighting both the history of Arbor Day and Warren’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and expanding its city trees.

Opening the ceremony, Parks Commission Chair Michael Suppa spoke about the personal and community value of trees. He also noted Arbor Day’s origins, tracing the tradition back to a tree-planting festival in Spain in the late 1500s and its formal establishment in the United States in the 19th century.

City Council Vice President Danielle Flasher then delivered the official mayoral proclamation on behalf of Mayor David Wortman, designating April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in Warren. The proclamation emphasized the environmental, economic and aesthetic benefits of trees, while encouraging residents to continue planting and preserving them for future generations.

As part of the ceremony, a Kentucky coffee tree was planted in Crescent Park on Tuesday to commemorate the occasion. The species, highlighted during the event, is known for its durability, adaptability to urban conditions, and historical significance. Commission member Kristine Whitaker provided an overview of the tree, noting its use by Native Americans and its suitability for city landscapes.

A representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also presented Warren with its Tree City USA designation, recognizing the city’s sustained efforts in managing public tree resources. The program requires communities to meet specific standards, including maintaining a tree board, investing in forestry, and observing Arbor Day annually.

City Arborist Joe Reinke spoke about the importance of continuing that work, noting that Warren currently maintains nearly 4,000 trees along public rights-of-way. He emphasized the city’s goal of planting more trees than it removes each year and encouraged younger generations to take an active role in environmental stewardship.