April 24th, 2026
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County Executive Adam Bello and City of Rochester Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Kabutey Ocansey gathered in Maplewood Park to mark the 43rd Anniversary of the City and County Annual Arbor Day Celebration. This year, the event also marked the 250th anniversary of the United States. They planted a Yoshino Cherry, a Sugar Maple, and a Red Oak Tree to commemorate Arbor Day. The Yoshino Cherry is the famous trees variety that bloom in Washington, D.C. each spring during the Cherry Blossom Festival, a fitting nod to the Capital for the country’s 250th.
“Trees and the natural beauty of the United States have been a significant theme throughout our 250 year history,” said County Executive Bello. “By proclaiming today Arbor Day in Monroe County and planting trees, we recommit ourselves to the conservation of our local natural resources and recognize their importance in our community.”
“Arbor Day reminds us that the investments we make today by planting trees, caring for our neighborhoods, and working together, will benefit Rochester for generations to come,” said City of Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Every tree we plant is a step toward a healthier, greener, and more resilient city.”
The tree planting was a partnership between Monroe County, the City of Rochester, Plant GFLX Horticultural Associates, Meadowview Tree Farm and Nursery, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County, and the New York State Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.
Monroe County and the City of Rochester have each prioritized tree plantings and other conservation efforts. Bello announced that since 2024, the County has planted more than 12,500 trees throughout Monroe County parks, a milestone made possible by grants from the the U.S. Forest Services and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. The City of Rochester was recently designated as a 2026 Tree City of the World by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, one of only 283 cities worldwide to receive the honor.
At the event, Yoshino Cherry and Sugar Maple saplings provided by Meadowview Tree Farm and Nursery were given out to attendees.
