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.
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| L-R Jim Grainger, Ruth Anne Ellis, Ty Bellamy, Dee Meyers, Tommy Campbell |
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| September 2015 City of NMB Tree of the Month |
