Beautification board sets Arbor Day lecturer, planting

MADISON – To observe Arbor Day 2018, Madison Beautification and Tree Board has scheduled activities at Madison City Hall on Feb. 28.

At 1 p.m., Mayor Paul Finley will lead the work to plant two trees on the grounds of City Hall.

At 5:30 p.m., guest speaker Reginald Randolph will discuss “Crepe Myrtle Proper Care and Trimming,” according to Mike Keenan, president of Madison Beautification and Tree Board. His lecture will instruct the audience to avoid ‘Crepe Murder,’ incorrect pruning that causes the crepe myrtle to grow in weird contortions.

A native of Cuba, Ala. south of Tuscaloosa, Randolph graduated from Sumter County High School in York, Ala. “I furthered my education at Alabama A&M University, where I played trumpet in the Marching Maroon and White Band and obtained a double major in forestry management and forestry science and a minor in GIS/remote sensing,” Randolph said.

His career in forestry started with work as a line clearance representative at Nashville Electric Service. He later transferred to Florence Utilities.

Randolph then decided to pursue a master’s degree in forestry at Alabama A&M. As GSA President, he created a direct line of communication between students and the university president.

While a student, Randolph started working at Huntsville Utilities. He trained to become a certified arborist.

“But this was not enough. I wanted to do more with my life. I wanted to be in a position where I could serve and educate the public on what I loved most — Nature,” Randolph said.

He left Huntsville Utilities “to dedicate my time solely to operating Professional Vegetation Management. We educate on and perform a range of environmental sound solutions,” Randolph said. “I have never looked back.”

Professional Vegetation Management provides a range of services for residential and commercial customers throughout the Southeast.

Madison Beautification and Tree Board was established in October 2002. The volunteer board acts in an advisory capacity to the mayor and City Council. Members work to enhance the quality of life in Madison through landscape enhancements.

For more information, email keepmadisonbeautiful@gmail.com or visit keepmadisonbeautiful.org.