Mayor Earl Johnson Friday signed a proclamation recognizing the week of Feb. 23-27 as Arbor Week in Alabama. While National Arbor Day is held on the last Friday in April, Alabama, similar to several other states, observes the holiday at a time best suited for tree planting.

The city recently planted 14 live oaks on the courthouse square. The tree project will continue this Friday, when one of the larger oaks that was damaged by wind several years ago will be replaced.

The Arbor Day Foundation encourages everyone to plant a tree to celebrate this special holiday. The Foundation’s Web site (www.arborday.org) offers many helpful tips from how to plant a tree to selecting the right tree for the right place.