In honor of Arbor Day on April 25, we wanted to share some of the things we are doing to celebrate, as well as some highlights from the past year.

• This year marks our 35^th anniversary as a Tree City USA community from the Arbor Day Foundation.
• It is the 10^th year where we have received a “Growth Award” for going above and beyond with our forestry efforts.
• In celebration of those accomplishments, we are inviting the public to join us at 4pm on April 25 at Eagles Landing for the planting of a Paper Birch tree and the reading of a proclamation highlighting the importance of Arbor Day to our community.
• Our team visits all third grade students in Rochester Community Schools to educate them on trees and provide them with White Spruce seedlings the week of Arbor Day.
• Our 2025 Spring Community Canopy tree giveaway saw all 200 trees claimed in less than 24 hours! There will be a Fall Community Canopy program as well.
• We will be planting more than 150 trees within our right-of-ways this spring as part of our Spring Free Street Tree program. There will be more to plant this fall!
• Staff is looking closer at our community’s tree canopy to better understand what areas of the City and what subdivisions we should focus outreach efforts on in terms of our planting programs and encouraging more planting and preservation. Across the City, our tree canopy coverage is approximately 42%.

City staff has been busy this past month working with our stewardship contractors to attack invasive species Over at the 10-acre Tienken Road open space, we recently mechanically removed a significant amount of woody invasives through forestry mowing. We plan to continue these efforts in next couple years to promote native vegetation and restore native habitats.

Meanwhile, at the Ruby Green Space, we just recently completed a prescribed burn on a portion of the space that was previously forestry mowed four years ago. This burn will promote native species that have adapted to fire and set back the non-native, less desirable species that typically pop up earlier in the growing season.

The Eastern Bluebird is a welcome sign of spring, easily spotted in open habitats like meadows, fields, and golf courses. They favor areas with patchy vegetation and large trees, often perching on power lines or fences. These birds are known for their distinctive hunting style, fluttering down to catch insects before returning to their perch.  

Males are vibrant with a royal blue back and head, and a reddish-brown breast, while females exhibit a more subtle gray with blue tinges. Northern populations, like the ones we see here in Rochester Hills, migrate to the southeastern U.S. or Mexico for winters.  

During breeding season, males display at nest cavities, bringing material to attract females, but females are the primary nest builders and incubators. They nest in natural cavities, like old woodpecker holes, or readily adapt to nest boxes. Eastern Bluebirds primarily consume insects, fruits, and berries, occasionally taking larger prey.

With a lifespan exceeding 10 years, Eastern Bluebirds are a rewarding species to attract. Providing nest boxes in open areas, with predator guards, can help support their populations.

One of the City’s smaller parks - known as “Eagles Landing” - is located across from Veterans Memorial Pointe on Livernois. It is adjacent to the Clinton River Trail and the Clinton River. This park features a kayak landing for the river and a kayak rack installed by an Eagle Scout. It also used to feature a statue carved out of a dead tree with bald eagles on it. The City is in the process of trying to restore that statue to return it to the property. At the site, there is a gravel turn around drive with limited parking. There is a short, mowed trail that brings you down to the Clinton River to enjoy a nice view or perhaps try your luck at fishing.

The paper birch, native to Michigan, is a tree that stands out with its beautiful white bark. Often called white birch or canoe birch, its papery bark peels away in delicate curls, revealing layers of subtle color beneath.

These trees, which can reach heights of 50 to 70 feet, display oval leaves with finely toothed edges, arranged alternately along their slender stems. In autumn, the birch's vibrant green foliage transforms into a golden spectacle. Though it grows quickly, the paper birch prefers moist soil and isn't well-suited for harsh, challenging environments.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the paper birch plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. In spring, its catkins provide a vital food source for numerous small mammals and birds. For northern species like moose and ruffed grouse, the birch is especially significant, offering sustenance during critical times.

Humans have long recognized the birch's versatility. Its lightweight yet sturdy wood is used in crafting flooring, furniture, and even popsicle sticks. Indigenous communities have traditionally relied on this pliable material for its bark to create essential items like baskets and canoes, demonstrating a deep understanding of the tree's natural properties. The paper birch, with its striking beauty and practical uses, remains an integral part of the North American landscape.

Rochester Hills Parks and Natural Resources is now on Instagram! Follow us @rochesterhillsparks and tag us in your photos on your visits to our parks and green spaces. We will be using this page to share program information, wildlife, staff spotlights and so much more.

Follow us on Instagram here.