STATEHOUSE NEWS

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The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day Wednesday, April 23 with a short tree planting ceremony. The short ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on the North Plaza (Broad Street) of Capitol Square and will culminate with the planting of a Hackberry tree. The Ohio Statehouse Arbor Day and Earth Day tree planting is part of an ongoing effort of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) to create a prominent green space for the citizens of Ohio.

Situated on 10 acres in the heart of downtown Columbus, the Ohio Statehouse grounds serve as an unmistakable green oasis in the heart of the capital city. More than 100 plant species are maintained on the grounds; including a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. The grounds continue to serve as a gathering place for the people of Ohio.

“Capitol Square is a place for all Ohioans to enjoy, and we continue to cultivate native species to highlight the wide variety of beautiful plants here in the ‘Buckeye State,’” said William Carleton, executive director of the Capitol Square Review and Board.

About the Hackberry tree
The Hackberry is a member of the Elm family. It is a large deciduous tree reaching 39’ to 60’ in height at maturity. It typically lives to be 150 to 200 years old and exhibits its greatest annual growth between 20 and 40 years of age. The branches tend to droop, giving mature trees a cylindrical shape and the appearance of even and equal spread of branches. The fruit of the hackberry is a small berry that ripens in September or October. Various birds and mammals feed on the berries after they ripen in autumn, including native butterflies.

To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org

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