Gwinnett Daily Post

SUWANEE - With talk of global warming and a waning ozone layer, many have made the decision to take better care of the environment. And one local city is literally going green.

In celebration of Arbor Day, Suwanee will plant more than a dozen 3- to 5-foot trees near a recently constructed pedestrian bridge that links the Town Center and the Suwanee Creek Greenway.

Wes Rogers, city senior environmental planner, said volunteers and city personnel will gather at the bridge off of Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road at 3 p.m. Friday with shovels in hand ready to plant.

This year, oak, river birch and cypress specimens will be planted in a wooded area running parallel to the Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.

Though the trees are currently dormant, Rogers said buds are expected in March or April and will be planted in a floodplain area in hopes the drought conditions will not affect their growth.

Rogers said the planting is taking place as "an effort to put back some of the trees that were taken out during development" of the greenway.

"We need to balance out all the construction with some trees," Rogers added.

This month will mark the 18th year the city has been designated a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation and has planted trees in an effort to revitalize and landscape parts of the city.

Rogers said volunteers are welcome to assist in the plant. Those interested in lending a hand should call Rogers at 770-945-8996 or show up by the 3 p.m. plant time on Friday.

All volunteers will receive seedlings in appreciation for their help.

SideBar: If you go

· What: Suwanee Arbor Day tree planting

· When: 3 p.m. Friday

· Where: pedestrian bridge, Suwanee Creek Greenway

· To volunteer: call 770-945-8996 or e-mail wrogers@suwanee.com