Elkins Tree Board Celebrates Arbor Day with Memorial and National Tree Plantings

ELKINS, W.Va. — April 27, 2026 — The Elkins Tree Board celebrated this recognition at the annual Arbor Day celebration at the Phil Gainer Center with representatives of Mon Power’s Arbor Day Tree Line USA program.

The representatives, along with Elkins Tree Board volunteers, planted two oak trees in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. In 2004, Congress designated the oak as America’s official tree. An official proclamation by Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco was read at the ceremony.

During an earlier event, tree board members planted memorial trees at Elkins City Park and recognized the generosity of Elkins’ resident Joy Shepherd. With her donations to the tree board, eight trees have been planted at City Park In memory of Bill King, Anita Talbott, Allen Talbott, Bob Dunkerly, David Hensley, Steve Ross, Julia Cassells and Leigh Fletcher. A memorial plaque will be installed at City Park later this year. Sue Severino and “Doodle” Ross also contributed to the memorial trees.

“We are so grateful for Ms. Shepherd’s generosity,” said Marilynn Cuonzo, President of the Elkins Tree Board. “Planting trees is such a meaningful way to honor those whose lives meant so much to us.”

During the ceremony, Shepherd explained how the neighborhood by City Park had lost so many in the past few years and quoted Edna St. Vincent Milay: “Where you were, there is a hole in the world.”

Other community Arbor Day plantings will include two trees at Glendale Park thanks to local Kroger store employees. “Each year Elkins’ Arbor Day grows in participation,” said Cuonzo. “It all helps in growing Elkins greener.”

In the past year, the tree board has been responsible for planting more than 20 trees in Elkins’ city parks as well as maintaining the downtown streetscape. “This would not be possible without Community Tree grants from the West Virginia Division of Forestry, donors and volunteers.,” said Cuonzo.

This effort was recognized for the eighteenth year by the Arbor Day Foundation which named Elkins a 2025 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit its community.

“We all have a role to play in shaping our future and tree champions like Elkins are leading the way,” said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees are critical infrastructure, building resiliency and fostering good health in our nation’s cities. We’re proud Elkins is among the Arbor Day Foundation’s growing network of communities dedicated to creating positive impact through trees.”

To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration. Additionally, the Elkins Tree Board is one of the top West Virginia towns in number of reported tree board volunteer hours and trees plantings.

Click here to learn more about the Tree Board.

For additional information about the Tree Board, please contact Marilynn Cuonzo at 304-621-5900.