Memorial School Celebrates East Brunswick's Legacy as a "Tree City USA"

Trees are key in East Brunswick.

Memorial School welcomed city officials and community members to an Arbor Day celebration on Thursday that celebrated East Brunswick's 35th designation as a "Tree City USA."

Towns that are named a "Tree City USA' are identified by the National Arbor Day Foundation for having a city tree ordinance, a legal tree governing body, a comprehensive urban forestry program and observance of Arbor Day.

"Trees are so important for our communities and our environment," said Bill Hlubik of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County.

One average-sized tree can provide enough oxygen for four people, he said.

Hlubik presented a flag to township administrator James White at the ceremony, while students read tree-themed poems and sang songs.

Each student was also sent home with a sapling to plant on their own, donated by the New Jersey Shade Tree Federation.

The East Brunswick Woman’s Club continued their annual tree donation and Stop n' Shop donated a tree to be planted at the school as well.