Trees provide the roots that help communities thrive.

Neighborhoods with trees are several degrees cooler in the summer heat, and their shade and protection from winter winds help reduce energy costs by up to 25%, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.

The importance of trees is evident by the positive impact they have on property values and the role green spaces play in promoting well-being and encouraging economic development.

"Everyone wants to live in a place where there's fully developed trees," Valley Mayor Cindy Grove said. "You need them for shade, and they help with a lot of things."

That's why the City of Valley has been a proud Tree City USA for 27 years. The program, one of the Arbor Day Foundation's oldest, celebrates the importance of tree cover in the community and includes more than 3,600 communities across the United States.

The city celebrates its arboreal resources annually with an Arbor Day ceremony, which this year was held at DC West Elementary School. An assembly was held April 28 with choral performances and a discussion of the importance of trees.

"Arbor Day is all about planting trees and appreciating trees for what they do for us in our environment and in our everyday lives," said arborist Mike Wiekhorst.

Trees provide clean air, absorbing carbon dioxide. They provide wood products and fuel. They are an important habitat for wildlife. They offer shade and protection and anchor the ecosystem.

"And on top of that, they're just beautiful," Wiekhorst said. "They help beautiful our environment. It's a lot nicer looking at trees and the landscape than it is just concrete buildings and signs."

Grove said that Arbor Day has a great presence in Nebraska, where it originated.

"It's important that we support it," Grove said. "We like to have lots of beautiful trees in the city and, especially, working with a school and being able to help them plant trees on their property is just great for the community."

The mayor issued a proclamation celebrating Arbor Day in the City of Valley, which was read aloud by several DC West students. Despite rainy conditions, city staff helped plant a tree at the DC West Community Schools that will grow alongside the fourth graders who took part in the assembly.

Beyond the annual event, the city ensures trees are a priority.

The Valley Tree Board maintains a plan for keeping up the trees in public spaces.

The city also has the Joe Roberts Arboretum, which is home to the Valley Memorial Trees program, which perpetuates the planting of trees by any Valley resident in memory of friends, family and other loved ones.