The weather in the area may have been cloudy and grey for the past week, but that didn’t stop the City of Cullman from being recognized for its greenery Thursday morning.

After the city’s annual Arbor Day Tree Sale at the North Alabama Agriplex, Mayor Woody Jacobs was joined by Cullman City Arborist Darrell Johns and representatives from the Alabama Forestry Commission to receive the city’s recognition of being a Tree City USA and to declare this week as Arbor Week in Cullman.

“We’re proud to do this, we’re proud to be a part of it,” Jacobs said. 

As part of the Tree City USA declaration, the city received a new flag that will be flown in front of City Hall and new decals that will be placed on the signs that mark the entrance to the city. This year marks the 31st year that Cullman has been recognized as a Tree City USA.

Jacobs said trees are important to the community because they can reduce erosion of topsoil, cut heating and cooling costs, clean the air and provide habitats for wildlife while beautifying the city.

“We urge the citizens in their efforts to care for and plant trees and respect what we have,” he said. 

Jacobs also recognized the winners in the city’s annual Arbor Day Poster Contest. This year’s poster theme was “Trees are Terrific…Inside and Out.” Winners were:

1ST PLACE: Gracie Stidham (Cullman Christian School), Kate Seidel (East Elementary School), Alexander Nacilla (St. Paul’s Lutheran School), and Max Scosyrev (West Elementary School). 

2ND PLACE: Nolan Jackson (Cullman Christian School), Jacob Taylor (East Elementary School), Madison Johnson (St. Paul’s Lutheran School), and Max Dial (West Elementary School).

Jacobs presented a $25 check and a Certificate of Recognition to each 1st place winner, and a $15 check and a Certificate of Recognition to each 2nd place winner.

Jacobs also recognized Max Scosyrev of West Elementary School, for winning 2nd place at the state level.