25 years as a Tree City USA community Published May 6, 2019 By Senior Airman Christina Russo 910th Airlfit Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- For more than two decades, Youngstown Air Reserve Station has been planting trees in recognition of Arbor Day. As a result, YARS has earned the title of being a Tree City USA community for 25 consecutive years. Bill Fink is an environmental engineer with the 910th Airlift Wing. “We are here to celebrate YARS being a Tree City for the 25th year in a row as a part of the National Arbor Day Society,” said Fink. “In honor of that, we’ll plant the tree, Col. Janik will dedicate it to either an event or person, and we’ll follow up with all the paperwork necessary to submit the Arbor Day Tree City application to continue to be a Tree City community.” Throughout the years, a great many trees have been planted around the installation. This year, YARS leadership decided to plant a dogwood tree, which will aid in the continued efforts to beautify the grounds here. “(Dogwoods) grow fairly rapidly,” said Fink. “They’re nice looking trees, and they flower in the spring.” The dogwood tree was planted in the grassy area in front of Hangar 295 here. Fink said they chose that location due to the open space that could accommodate another two dogwood trees that would be positioned alongside the one that was planted in recognition of Arbor Day this year.