(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A group of arborists volunteered their time to honor veterans by trimming trees at Evergreen Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Saluting Branches, a national nonprofit dedicated to beautifying the final resting places of U.S. veterans, selected Evergreen Cemetery for its 10th annual day of service on Wednesday. Arborists from multiple local tree care companies donated their time and resources to remove dead trees and branches around the cemetery. Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Matthew PutnamCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Matthew PutnamCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Matthew PutnamCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Matthew PutnamCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Matthew PutnamCourtesy: City of Colorado SpringsCourtesy: City of Colorado Springs For the volunteers who offered their support on Wednesday, the time spent cleaning up cemeteries where veterans are at rest couldn't be more rewarding. "Saluting branches is extremely rewarding to me because it combines my love for the arboricultural industry and also my passion to honor veteran service members," said Matt Puckett, a Forestry Supervisor of Colorado Springs. According to the City, Evergreen Cemetery was established shortly after Colorado Springs was founded in 1871 and was deeded to the city in 1875 by city founder General William Jackson Palmer. The original 10 acres have grown to over 220, with more than 90,000 burials. Many of the city’s pioneers are buried at Evergreen Cemetery, including American prospector and philanthropist Winfield Scott Stratton, poet Helen Hunt Jackson, and General William Jackson Palmer. In 1993, Evergreen became only the second cemetery in the state to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.