NMB Tree City Board presents its May Tree of the Month Award to City Councilman J. O. Baldwin

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board has presented its May 2016 Tree of the Month Award to City Councilman Jay Baldwin for protecting and preserving a collection of very old Live Oak trees on his property at 404 14th Avenue South.

L-R  Ron Bruce, Dee Myers, Sean Hoelscher,
Caroline Driggers, Dexter Allen, Ruth Anne Ellis,
Tom Walker, and Jim Grainger

The property was originally owned by Baldwin’s grandparents, and he remembers the trees being sizeable when he would visit them as a young boy. His grandparents were the owners of the original 1940’s house that was built on the property, and they lived in the home until the 1990s.

When Baldwin decided to move to the location in 2000, he determined that the 1940s home could not be saved, so he demolished it and rebuilt on the site. He purposely designed his new house to sit among the grand old oaks in such a way as to preserve every tree. One tree, however, proved to be too close to the planned home, and acting on advice from the Clemson Extension Service, he dug up the tree, keeping as many of its roots intact as possible, and replanted it. He used a backhoe to dig a hole for the 15 foot wide root ball. The tree lived for another six years in its new location before succumbing to drought conditions around 2007. The remaining trees continue to thrive on his lot.

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board salutes Councilman Baldwin for his understanding of the value of the trees on his property, and his willingness to take extra measures to protect what are some of the more historic trees in the city. 

Property owners and developers who are interested in finding out more about how they can preserve trees on their property are invited to contact the Board at nmbtreeboard@nmb.us or 843-280-5571.

The Tree of the Month program began in 2010 as a way to recognize trees within the community that have been preserved over the years. It also provides a platform to remind people of the benefits and importance that trees offer in our everyday lives.

If you think you have the biggest, prettiest, or most unusual tree in North Myrtle Beach, or that your tree has a unique story attached to it, the Tree City Board encourages you to contact Parks & Grounds Superintendent Jim Grainger at (843) 280-5571 or via email at nmbtreeboard@nmb.us. 

September Tree Of The Month Award Goes To Horace & Cecelia Campbell For 80-100 Year Old Eastern Red Cedar

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board has presented its Tree of the Month Award for September to Horace and Cecelia Campbell for an Eastern Red Cedar tree located on property they own at 312 23rd Avenue North. The tree is estimated to be between 80 and 100 years old.

“The tree is in good shape,” said North Myrtle Beach Public Grounds Superintendent Jim Grainger, “and we appreciate the care and attention it has received over the years.”

This tree is a member of the juniper family (Juniperus virginiana). It is native to the area and is particularly tolerant of the poor limestone soils and salt spray that can be prevalent in coastal environments. It is known as a “pioneer” tree because of its ability to thrive as the first inhabitant of an environment, and it is one of only a handful of species that make up the Maritime Forest that dominates undeveloped coastal areas.

Depending on its variety, the Eastern Red Cedar can grow as tall as 60 feet and up to 45 feet wide, although it is more typically limited to heights of 40 feet and widths of 15 feet. This evergreen tree has bluish-green foliage, thin reddish-brown bark that peels in strips, and blue to silver berry-like cones that mature in September. The berries provide food for many different types of birds. The tree’s wood has traditionally been used for fence posts and pencils, due to its durability and resistance to termites and, apparently, the teeth of school children.

When not influenced by structures or other plants the species is usually pyramidal in shape but its top will round off as it grows older and the trunk often twists into interesting shapes when it adapts to constant wind or obstruction of sunlight.

On a more sinister note, the Eastern Red Cedar is sometimes called the “Graveyard Tree.” The tree grows slowly and lore has it that when the one you planted has grown tall enough to shade your grave, it will be time for you to die.

On a brighter note, the tree is frequently used in the landscape for screening, windbreaks, or hedges but in nature is most often found alone or in small clusters.

OPENING OF TREE CITY BOARD

A Tree City Board member is moving out of the North Myrtle Beach area, creating an opening on the board. If you live in the city and are interested in applying for this volunteer position, please contact Jim Grainger at 843-280-5571 or jegrainger@nmb.us  

The Tree City Board is appointed by City Council; advises the City in all tree related matters; serves as a source of information about proper tree maintenance techniques and community tree management policies; make recommendations for public tree establishment, maintenance, protection and removal; provides input to the public grounds superintendent for the development of an annual work plan and long-range planning; reviews the City’s tree ordinance, tree planting master plan, and recommends changes to the same at least every two years; promotes and supports the Tree City USA program; and undertakes other responsibilities as City Council may direct.

Left to right in the accompanying photo are NMB Public Grounds Superintendent Jim Grainger, Tree City Board Member Ruth Anne Ellis, Ty Bellamy, Tree City Board Member Dee Meyers, Tommy Campbell.

L-R Jim Grainger, Ruth Anne Ellis, Ty Bellamy, Dee Meyers, Tommy Campbell

September 2015 City of NMB Tree of the Month