Fort Mitchell city council re-appointed one member of the Municipal Tree Commission and newly appointed another.
Mitchell Reeves and Brad Denham will serve terms on the Fort Mitchell Tree Commission. Reeves has served on the commission for several years, and Denham joined after inquiring about a vacancy on the team.
Informally called the “Tree Board,” Fort Mitchell’s Tree Commission was started in 1991 under Mayor Tom Holocher. It was formed when the city noticed trees being damaged during construction projects. Holocher appointed a group to research and recommend replacement trees. The group meets four times a year and must have between 5 and 10 members.
Since then, the group has recommended trees for planting all around the city’s public right of way. They have completed plantings in General Ormsby Park and along Dixie Highway, among other locations. The board has also organized many seedling giveaways for Fort Mitchell residents.
Fort Mitchell has received several awards and much recognition from the National Arbor Day Foundation. According to the organization’s records, Fort Mitchell has been a Tree City, USA partner for 13 years.
LINK asked Fort Mitchell government members how the Tree Commission affects the average citizen of their city.
“They do a great job of recommending species of trees that won’t damage our sidewalks,” City Administrator Edwin King said.
Mayor Jude Hehman praised the Tree Board members’ commitment to their community. “The Tree Board is very proactive,” Mayor Jude Hehman said. “The members are very knowledgeable in planting trees and have a passion for the city.”