KINGSTON — Members of the Kingston Garden Club are looking for community members to help beautify Kingston for this year’s Arbor Day.

Instead of the club’s usual tree planting at a local school or fire station, members want to make a big difference by cleaning and weeding the planted median on Lindvog Road.

“It’s hosted by the garden club but we are issuing an invitation to all in the community to show up,” said Arbor Day committee chair and garden club member Cathy Morris.

The group decided to work on Lindvog because it is one of the latest landscape additions to the area and needs some tidying up, Morris said.

“We’re just wanting it to stay bright and fresh and welcoming to those who come into Kingston,” she explained.

Besides weeding work, the club has also donated $100 to Stillwaters Environmental Education Center for the landscaping of its “Tree House” once the house foundation is constructed and the building is on the property.

“We decided to make a donation and do a little work ourselves,” Morris said.

Nationally, Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of the April, but each state has a different celebration date due to the optimal time for tree planting. Washington’s celebration is the second Wednesday of April.

SIDEBAR:

Fun Facts about Arbor Day:

•The holiday was founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872

•Trees absorb 6 tons of carbon monoxide and provide 4 tons of oxygen per acre of forest

•Trees can mask noise pollution as much as 50 percent and filter out air and water pollutants through their leaves and roots

•Trees prevent erosion and reduce flood damage by holding soil in place during a stormß

Source: Kingston Garden Club.