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Nixa proclaims Arbor Day; resident urges planting fruit-bearing trees for schools
Summary
Mayor Jared Giddens proclaimed April 24, 2026, Arbor Day and announced a memorial tree planting; visitor Jeff White urged the city to prioritize fruit-bearing trees so schools could harvest produce and surplus could be donated.
NIXA, Mo. — Mayor Jared Giddens proclaimed April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day and announced the city will plant two memorial trees at the Nixa Community Center to honor two Christian County sheriff’s deputies who died in the line of duty.
During the meeting’s visitor comment period, resident Jeff White urged the council to consider planting fruit-bearing trees on several city properties — behind Walmart, near John Thomas Elementary and in city parks — so local schools could harvest produce for students and any excess could be donated to local food banks such as Ozark Food Harvest.
Why it matters: The proclamation pairs a public commemoration with a practical community suggestion. City staff noted an existing city tree farm program and said officials would look into whether edible species could be incorporated into future plantings.
What was said
- "I, Jared Giddens, mayor for the city of Nixa, do hereby proclaim April 24th, 2026 as Arbor Day," the mayor read, and invited the public to a 10 a.m. planting ceremony at the Nixa Community Center to plant two memorial trees for the fallen deputies.
- Visiting resident Jeff White said: "My object is to try to get fruit bearing trees planted instead of just trees... it would be a good food source for [the school system]." He suggested surplus could be donated to local food programs including Ozark Food Harvest and others.
City response and context
Assistant Parks Director Katie Buer and other staff noted the city recently started a tree farm to supply replacement trees to residents when removals are required; staff said it would be worth exploring whether edible species could be added to the program. No formal action was taken; the proclamation and the April 24 planting are scheduled as announced.
What’s next: The mayor encouraged the public to attend the April 24 planting at 10 a.m. at the Nixa Community Center. Staff indicated they will consider Mr. White’s suggestion in ongoing tree-farm planning and future planting decisions.
