News

A red oak for James Volk

By Bill Moss, Published: May 3, 2019

The Hendersonville Tree Board, a North Carolina Forest Service ranger, the Four Seasons Rotary Club and Hendersonville Elementary School third graders and K Kids club members celebrated the planting of red oak for Dr. James Volk on Friday during the city's annual observance of Arbor Day.

In 1991, the Four Seasons Rotary Club helped start Hendersonville's Tree City designation when it planted a dogwood tree in what is now the parking lot of the Fresh Market. Active in the Four Seasons Club, Dr. Volk, who died last October at age 72, "planned this event for many many years," said Tiffany Ervin, past president of the Four Seasons club.

Hendersonville was marking its 28th year as a Tree City and it earned a Growth award this year for "going above and beyond" the standard by "continuing to promote good forestry and good tree care throughout the community," said forest ranger Chad Fierros.

Tree Board member Mark Madsen, a certified arborist, explained to the school children that red oaks are value contributors to forest life. They provide shade, food for wildlife in the form of acorns and "places for birds to nest, so it's like a hotel for birds."

The third graders sang a tribute for the occasion, called "Trees Tree Trees," and two helped shovel dirt around the rootball after Madsen placed the tree in a hole. One of dozens of trees the Tree Board has planted along Bearcat Loop, The James Volk oak is the nearest one to U.S. 64.