Matawan looks greener this days.
In honor of Arbor Day, officials from the Shade Tree Commission planted an Autumn Glory tree outside of the borough’s municipal complex in a ceremony on April 27.
According to Matthew Schoffel, trees help keep the town beautiful and environmentally friendly.
Schoffel is the chairman of the Matawan Shade Tree Commission.
The Shade Tree Commission is an organization dedicated to maintaining the health of trees owned by the borough, Schoffel said.
Joined by members of the community and Matawan council members, Mayor Joseph Altomonte read the Arbor Day proclamation to a small gathering of environmentally conscious individuals.
Jeff Gray, Reverend of The Second Baptist Church of Matawan, led a group prayer after the tree was planted.
“We’re keeping up with the Arbor Day tradition that started back in 1872,” Scoffel said.
Charlotte Wieczorek, a fifth grade student from Llyod Road Elementary School in Matawan, asked Altomonte to name the tree “Blossom.”
Altomonte was honored to fulfill Charlotte’s request.
“We have a lot of ideas when it comes to trees. We’d like to start planting trees in honor of somebody, or maybe to honor a birth,” Schoffel said.
Schoffel said he recently trimmed the branches of the trees that adorn both Lake Matawan and Lake Lefferts so residents could have a better view of the water as they drive down Main Street.
“Trees are a symbol of life and prosperity that we wish upon everybody in this town,” Schoffel said.
Tree seedlings were distributed to those in attendance. The distribution symbolized a continued effort to keep Matawan green, Schoffel said.
