An ice sculpture shaped like a tree and radishes cut into flowers adorned tables behind the Kirby Smith Center Thursday.
Everything looked ideal for a scene at an elegant wedding, minus the bride and groom, but instead the Kirby Smith Center was all dolled up for an Arbor Day celebration.
People began to gather just before noon Thursday at the center for a special ceremony to celebrate Gainesville's trees.
“People in Gainesville love trees,” said Meg Niederhofer, city arborist.
Members of the Four Seasons Gardening Club mingled after having hosted their own ceremony earlier at the Thomas Center, where they planted a great myrtle tree, according to Shirley Raimato, the club's president.
Many in attendance admired the ice sculpture carved by a student from the Eastside High School Culinary Arts Program. Others waited in line to be served the food the students had prepared, including fresh fruit and vegetables, wraps and a frittata.
“Trees aren’t just to nurture our soil, they are also good for our pocketbooks,” said Robert Hutchinson, director of Alachua Conservation Trust.
Hutchinson continued, noting the uniqueness and beauty in Gainesville's trees.
“We couldn’t invent a tree if we wanted to, it’s such a sophisticated machine,” Hutchinson said.
