Under bright blue skies and a crisp Tuesday morning, the City of Boerne celebrated Arbor Day with a community tree planting at the Old No. 9 Trail Extension, reaffirming its dedication to environmental stewardship and the preservation of Boerne’s natural beauty.
City staff, volunteers, and local partners gathered to plant 12 native trees, including lacey bark elms, cedar elms, and burr oaks. These native species were selected to enhance the trail’s ecosystem and support long-term sustainability in Boerne’s park system.
Parks and Recreation staff dug the holes and provided the mulch, watering bags, deer fencing, and aftercare to ensure the young trees take root and flourish for years to come.
The annual event was made possible through the continued support and participation of Burkett Arbor Care and the Rotary Club of Boerne, whose partnership helps strengthen the community’s green initiatives. Their collaboration highlights how local organizations and residents can work hand in hand to maintain the health and beauty of Boerne’s parks and trails.
“Trees are significant and vital to our environment and community,” Parks and Recreation Director Lissette Jimenez said. “We have the privilege to plant more trees this year thanks to the Rotary Club of Boerne and Burkett Arbor Care.”
Mayor Frank Ritchie also emphasized the importance of intentional growth and conservation before helping plant the new trees that will shade people as they utilize the popular trail.
“We are intentional about making sure we save the trees as much as we can as we grow, but also being intentional about replanting trees,” Ritchie said. “Arbor Day is a special day for our community and country as a whole.”
Several young students from St. John Lutheran School were also in attendance to lend a hand at Tuesday’s tree planting and learn about Arbor Day.
Boerne has proudly been recognized as a Tree City USA for the past 16 years. This honor reflects the City’s continued investment in tree planting, maintenance, and environmental education.
In that time, Boerne added nearly 2,000 trees across public spaces, neighborhoods, and parklands, furthering its mission to maintain a sustainable urban forest.
Arbor Day serves as an annual reminder of the many benefits trees bring to the community – from improving air and water quality to providing shade, habitat, and scenic beauty.
Through efforts like this, the City of Boerne continues to nurture its green spaces and inspire residents to take an active role in protecting the Hill Country environment for future generations.
