City Hall tree honors Fowler; more trees coming

Apr. 24—In honor of former Mayor Lynn Fowler's 90th birthday, the Kiwanis Club of Decatur had a Yoshino cherry tree planted at Decatur City Hall, and they honored him Thursday with a ceremony.

The city planted the tree west of City Hall's main entrance last September. The ceremony included unveiling a plaque at the tree to recognize Fowler for his community and civic service.

Club President-elect Donna Puckett said they honored Fowler "because he has given so much time, energy and passion to community."

Fowler was mayor from 2000-2004. He served on the Planning Commission and was president of the Decatur City Board of Education. He also served on the Industrial Development Board of Decatur.

Fowler remains active in the Kiwanis Club and rarely misses a meeting. He was one of the top revenue producers for the club's annual Pancake Day fundraiser in February.

The Yoshino cherry tree is also called the Japanese flowering cherry. The tree is known for its vibrant display of white-pink blossoms and faint almond fragrance in the springtime.

The tree has an oriental branching pattern, glossy bark, and dark-green leaves in the summer.

Aaron Lang, Parks and Recreation maintenance supervisor, said the Kiwanis Club was aware the city is working on a new landscaping plan and asked to plant the tree in Fowler's honor.

In March 2022, the city brought in an arborist to examine the old oaks on the City Hall property because it received several reports of falling limbs. On a 1-10 scale with 10 rated as the worst, the arborist gave the nine trees either an 8 or a 9 rating and they were removed.

Lang said they plan to plant eight maple trees on Friday at City Hall along Lee Street and Fourth Avenue as part of the national Arbor Day celebration.

However, Lang said they are still working on new landscaping plan, including meeting with landscape architects in May.

— bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432. Twitter @DD_BayneHughes.