American Fork will have a new grove of Norway maple trees and two oaks planted in Rotary Park in Arbor Day ceremonies Friday.

Juel Belmont of the city's Beautification and Shade Tree Committee told about the plans.

"At the south end of that old park, there were so many huge trees that have been cut down," she said. "There is lot of open space. Also above the big pavilion at the northeast side there is room for two trees there. We will plant Red Oaks."

She said trees play an important part in raising the quality of life.

"It makes a huge difference in community life if you plant a tree," she said. "I would encourage anyone who to do something for yourself and the world -- plant a tree. The answer is trees -- plant a tree."

Belmont said trees provide oxygen and save energy during summer months because homeowners don't need to turn on their coolers as much.

"It is 15 degrees cooler in the shade of a tree than it is standing out in the sun," she said. "They can serve as a winter windbreak. Having trees also humanizes a community. Beautiful communities and parks have a lot of trees."

She said trees have been an important part in Utah since its early days.

"The pioneers first planted crops, then planted trees," she said.

American Fork City will also plant trees in Val Vista Park and Miller Park on May 3.

Elementary schools in American Fork joined others in having Arbor Day programs this week. One of the first was Legacy Elementary School, which hosted Smokey Bear Monday morning.

The fourth grade students attended a meeting with Smokey and Karen Schaack, from the city's Beautification and Shade Tree Commission. Schaack asked the students about the usefulness of trees. They said they provided wood for building, held the ground in place during times of high wind, provided homes for animals and food for people, including fruit and maple syrup.

She told about the history of the holiday.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. It was started by J. Sterling Morton. Morton, a civic leader, agriculturist, and former newspaper editor, who urged Nebraskans to set aside one day to plant trees. Schaack told the students that one million trees were planted.

By 1920, more than 45 states and U.S. territories annually celebrated Arbor Day. Today, Arbor Day is observed in all 50 states and in many countries around the world.

The state tree of Utah is the blue spruce, which was adopted in 1933. The blue spruce is widely used as an ornamental tree for its unique color, which is usually a silvery blue.

Each of the students received a blue spruce seedling to take home. Schaack encouraged them to walk through their yards with their parents and decide where the tree would have the best impact.

The students had written essays, titled "My Favorite Tree." A panel of judges awarded first, second and third places and some honorable mention awards at each school. IM/Flash awarded savings bonds to the top three at each school -- $50 to third place, $75 to second place and $100 to the first place winners. Schaack told the students the savings bonds were similar to trees. "You have to wait a while," she said. "They become more valuable as you wait."

COMMUNITY NOTES

Library receives grant -- The American Fork Public Library has received a $6,442 grant from Community Library Enhancement Funds. Library Director Sheena Parker said there were no matching funds required from the city and that the grant could be used for items including technology, collection development or library programs.

Hospital receives award -- Volunteer programs at American Fork Hospital, plus ones at Orem Community Hospital and Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, received national recognition at the American Hospital Association's recent annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The volunteer efforts were honored for promoting dental health among school children at Title I schools in Utah and Idaho. American Fork Hospital partnered with Greenwood Elementary School in American Fork, sponsoring dental education for both children and adults.

Correction -- The American Fork Symphony Salute to Youth Night is Monday, April 28, not what was previously reported. The Edna Birk Memorial Visual Arts Scholarship will be presented at that concert to Ashley Lawrence. The concert will be at American Fork High School, 510 N. 600 East, American Fork.