CASSADAGA — A Dawn Redwood tree planted Saturday in Cassadaga will be a living memorial to Emmaline Wilcox, a 7-year-old killed earlier this year in a car accident.

In 1872, Arbor Day, a national tree-planting holiday was established in the state of Nebraska, and today, the day is celebrated all over the world each year. A special Arbor Day celebration and tree planting ceremony was held Saturday in the village in memory of Wilcox. A large number of people gathered at the Cassadaga Beach for a walk along Dale Drive to Lily Dale into the woods and back to the beach.

Bob Reuther, chairman of the Tree Committee, served as the master of ceremonies for the event. Reuther welcomed the many there, and led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Many members of Emmaline’s family were present and spoke briefly saying that the “beach was one of her favorite places and that she would be proud of this event.” A thanks was given to Roxane Astry, village clerk, for her organizational efforts, and then the group was off for their walk.

One hour later, all returned to the beach, some walking, some running. Included in the group were state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, Legislator Mark Odell and state Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown. Then there was a tree planting ceremony in memory of Emmaline. Lori Brockelbank of Sinclairville described the tree as being a Dawn Redwood, a fast-growing endangered deciduous conifer, native of China. It was almost extinct, said Peter George of Cassadaga, but is now growing abundantly. It has proven to be a popular and fast-growing ornamental plant. Brockelbank said the leaves turn orange in the fall, sheds its leaves and grows new leaves in the spring.

William Dorman, mayor of Cassadaga, read a proclamation for the dedication of the tree and then Nate Morey of the state DEC, Region 9, Division of Lands and Forests, said that Cassadaga will now be known as a “Tree-City USA,” one of 20 in the western New York area. Signs were presented and a flag to tell those entering Cassadaga of being a “Tree-City USA.” Following many photographs, people went on a tour and walk of the Cassadaga Nature Park led by Nancy Wickmark and Cindy Flaherty.