Penn Wynne Elementary School recently hosted an Arbor Day celebration to commemorate Lower Merion Township's "Tree City USA" designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation – the 45th consecutive year the Township has earned this distinction.

In order to become a "Tree City USA" designee, a community must meet four standards: have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance. Fulfilling the fourth requirement, the Penguins purchased and planted a beautiful Willow Oak, which was planted on the Penn Wynne campus during a recent ceremony attended by Penn Wynne students, along with Shade Tree Commission Chair Rich Widmann; Township Arborist Joe Marco; Robert Witmer, a member of the Shade Tree Commission; and Andrea Thompson, Assistant Director of Public Works.

The Tree City USA national program provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America. Participating communities have demonstrated a commitment to caring for and managing their public trees. During the ceremony, students read selected passages which communicated both the importance and beauty of trees.