Smith County to Receive Tree Donation

TYLER — The parent company of a local company’s anniversary proves prosperous for Smith County. Kluber Lubrication NA LP, just outside of Tyler is making a donation of 41 fruit trees and compost to the Smith County Juvenile Services Department and 170 trees across the area in honor of the 170th anniversary of its parent company, Freudenberg Group.

The Smith County Commissioners Court approved the donation earlier this week. Kluber President Fred Pate said he has lived in Smith County his entire life and this is an opportunity to give something back to the county. The fruit trees will become part of juvenile’s vocational program, where juveniles help grow produce and other things from trees and plants. The food grown at the center are then offered to the juveniles and their families. Trees to be donated include pecan, apple, fig, plum, pear and peach trees. Kluber has been working with Smith County and City of Tyler representatives to select various tree species and locations throughout the community. Planting 170 trees in Tyler and Smith County will symbolize the company’s age, as well as its commitment to foster sustainability and nature preservation, Hall said.