Belfast City Park Gains a Black Gum Tree

Members of the Belfast Garden Club joined forces with Belfast Parks and Recreation staff to plant a black gum tree near the entrance to City Park on Arbor Day, April 25, 2025. Parks and Recreation Director Pam Salokangas read a proclamation declaring Belfast’s embrace of Arbor Day and its principles, followed by a reading of a poem by Belfast poet laureate Maya Stein that spoke to the importance of trees in our lives. Then the digging began! Assisted by several strong BPR employees, garden club members dug the right-sized hole to accommodate the sapling, and gave instruction on how to ensure the tree’s health as it establishes itself. Future generations should be able to enjoy the tree’s spring blossoms, fall foliage, and abundant shade, as black gum trees (also known as tupelo and pepperidge trees) can live up to 700 years!