Hundreds of trees distributed in Beavercreek in effort to replace ones damaged in 2019 tornadoes

BEAVERCREEK — Hundreds of trees were given away Saturday in Beavercreek as part of a grant received by the city to replace trees destroyed in the 2019 Memorial Day tornado outbreak.

>>2019 Memorial Day tornadoes: Beavercreek residents share recovery stories

As part of a grant awarded by State Farm and the Arbor Day Foundation, Beavercreek received over $30,000 to purchase and distribute trees in the community, according to Zach Wike, Assistant Superintendent of Beavercreek’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Division.

On Saturday, 460 trees were distributed on a first-come first-serve basis at the Siebenthaler’s location on Beaver Valley Road. Wike said all trees were accounted for within 90 minutes of the distribution starting Saturday morning.

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“Our community was devastated by the 2019 Memorial Day tornado. This has been really awesome to get some trees back into the community for people to plant in their yards and help re-establish some of the forest in the community,” Wike said.

“While Beavercreek has made significant progress, the planting of these trees will help move our journey to a full recovery forward.”

Wike called the distribution a success and thanked the community and volunteers for helping.

“There were a lot of people smiling ear to ear today. Lot of happy families. Its great just to see the support of the community and everybody happy about something happening in our community,” he said.

The tree distribution could become an annual event in the city and there are plans to continue the distribution for several years.

Wike said if you missed the distribution you can still help with reforestation by purchasing trees at area nurseries, adding that fall is a good time to plant trees.

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