Sedalia Celebrates Arbor Day at Animal Shelter

The City of Sedalia celebrated Arbor Day Friday afternoon at the Sedalia Animal Shelter. Mayor Andrew Dawson delivered a proclamation.

The Missouri Department of Conservation provided free gray dogwood saplings for anyone willing to plant them. Also, Public Works planted 25 trees behind the shelter (along the "Waggin' Tails Trail") in observance of Arbor Day 2025.

A total of 40 more trees were planted at Katy Park. Sedalia is a Tree City USA, and also is a recipient of a TRIM grant.

The first American Arbor Day was originated by J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska City, Nebraska, at an annual meeting of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture held in Lincoln. On April 10, 1872, an estimated one million trees were planted in Nebraska.

“It’s a great day for Arbor Day in Sedalia,” remarked Mayor Dawson. “We have a lot of beautiful trees here in Sedalia that adorn our streets.”

He added that the trees planted behind the shelter provides a nice, positive environment. “Like Dr. Kiburz said, dogs & trees kind of go together.”

“Being a Tree City makes Sedalia eligible for special grants to support the planning and maintaining of our trees within the City,” Dawson said.

Dr. Kiburz and his wife Connie also attended the ceremony, which was moved indoors due to the rainy and soggy conditions outside.

“We have an art company that makes (copper) trees. We ship them coast to coast and four continents,” Dr. Kiburz noted. He has also authored two award-winning books on trees, including A Tree Story: A Christmas Adventure, and Safe Tree Climbing.

“It’s kind of in my DNA,” he said, adding that he has plenty of trees on his 40-acre farm.

Dr. Kiburz added that there are certain requirements for being named a Tree City USA, and that includes annual observances of Arbor Day, as well as evaluations of trees, noting their health and other factors. “We’ve already met those qualifications for several years, he noted.

MDC Forester David Mann brought a few dozen Gray Dogwood saplings with him to give away to those attending the Arbor Day event.