In a region once defined by cutting down trees, the work is now about learning how to care for them. As Arbor Day approaches, communities like Empire and Glen Arbor are using the occasion not just to plant trees, but to encourage residents to think more intentionally about how they care for them.
Both communities are tying their efforts to the Arbor Day Foundation, which recognizes municipalities committed to maintaining and managing their tree canopies.
In Empire, volunteers will gather at 10 a.m. on April 24 at Shalda Park for a community work day aimed at both improving the park and helping the village meet the final requirements for the Tree City USA designation.
For Village Council member March Dye, the work is part of a longer story.
Once a hub of Michigan’s lumber industry, Empire was home to one of the state’s largest hardwood mills before fires in 1906 and 1917 helped bring that era to an end. In the decades since, the forests have returned - something the village is now working to care for more intentionally.
“We are trying to keep (our trees) healthy with pruning and replacing those which are beyond saving,” Dye said.
The Arbor Day event will begin with a proclamation, followed by a mix of hands-on work such as removing deer barriers, mulching, possibly planting a few oak trees and cleaning up the park, recycling area, and nearby conservancy land. If enough volunteers turn out, organizers may head to the beach for a clean-up there as well.
Dye said the goal is as much about community as it is about trees.
The village has no shortage of volunteers. Members of the Garden Club, Lions Club, recycling groups and others quietly take on cleanup projects throughout the year. Arbor Day, she said, is a chance to bring those efforts together in one place.
“This is a way for people to show their pride in the village and get to know each other better,” she said.
It is also meant to be a starting point. The village plans to plant additional shade trees around Shalda Park in the coming years, particularly along the walking trail, and hopes to make the Arbor Day work day an annual tradition.
In Glen Arbor, Arbor Day carries a similar sense of community pride, but also a note of urgency.
Members of the Glen Arbor Beautification Committee (GAB) are hosting a tree planting and “Tree Talk” at 10 a.m. on May 9 at Cherry Republic, where residents can learn about tree care, hear from local experts and take part in the planting.
“We need to ‘Keep the Arbor in Glen Arbor’,” committee member Chris Sack said.
Sack said the recent construction projects have at times resulted in large scale tree removal, a practice he and others hope to see reconsidered. Beyond changing the look of the landscape, he explained, removing trees can affect how land holds water something that has become more noticeable during heavy rains this spring.
The GAB’s goal is not to stop development, but to encourage property owners to weigh their options and preserve mature trees when possible.
Committee member Rebecca Benedict said the event is designed to build that awareness while also giving residents practical tools.
“We hope people walk away with a deeper appreciation for the role trees play in shaping the character, beauty, and health of Glen Arbor,” she said.
Benedict noted that communities are facing challenges from invasive species, disease, and climate related stress on tree canopies, making diversity and proactive care increasingly important.
Organizers in both communities say they hope these efforts continue to grow, not just as annual events, but as part of a broader shift in how residents think about the trees that shape their communities.
