Greensboro to Celebrate Arbor Day with Annual Tree Giveaway

The City of Greensboro’s annual Arbor Day Observance and Tree Giveaway will be held Saturday, March 20. This year, in an effort to help replant trees lost last summer due to severe storm damage in East Greensboro, the Greensboro Parks & Recreation Department and Greensboro Beautiful volunteers will distribute free Kousa Dogwoods and Red Maples to residents on a first come basis at two locations in District 1 and 2.

Beginning at 8 am, at the Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market (501 Yanceyville Street) citizens can receive information on proper tree care and planting instructions and pick up two trees for planting on private property. At 10 am, Mayor Allen will officially proclaim Arbor Day in Greensboro at Woodmere Park (Phillips Avenue at Autumn Drive), and the State Forester will present Greensboro’s 1998 Tree City USA Award. Residents of Kings Forest, Woodmere, Nealtown Farms and surrounding neighborhoods can participate in tree planting demonstrations in the park, and receive free trees for planting at their homes.

Greensboro Beautiful will also announce a new program called "PLANT 2000." This program is an initiative designed to encourage the planting of 10,000 trees in Guilford County by the end of the year 2000. Tree plantings in public areas such as neighborhood parks, roadsides, medians, and on school grounds as well as private property such as homes, businesses, and church lawns will be encouraged. Organizers have developed a tracking system using zip codes to track the number of trees planted within each of 5 sections of Guilford County. The trees made available through the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway will launch the program and result in the planting of over 1,000 trees throughout our community.

Greensboro – A Tree City USA

Local residents have always taken pride in Greensboro’s natural heritage. Our nationally recognized Parks & Recreation Department stems from this grassroots support. We have numerous parks, nature trails, city-wide landscaping and tree planting programs. In cooperation with Greensboro Beautiful, the department has created three diverse public gardens, including the region’s first formal arboretum. The City of Greensboro’s official logo even contains an oak leaf to reflect the role that trees play in our community. In 1992, the National Arbor Day Foundation certified Greensboro as a Tree City USA. The criteria for this designation includes adopting and enforcing a community tree ordinance, providing an urban forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and observing Arbor Day.

The Roots of Arbor Day

Arbor Day began in 1872 as the idea of J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska City who tirelessly advocated planting trees on the state’s grasslands. More than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day, and by 1894, every state joined the celebration. North Carolina annually observes Arbor Day on the Friday following the March 15th. J. Sterling Morton was proud of the success of Arbor Day, and noted, "Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future."

You Can Make A Difference

City trees add the soft touch of nature to our busy lives. They cool the air, fight pollution, conserve energy, give wildlife a home, and make our neighborhoods more liveable. The trees on city property, along streets, and in parks are an essential part of our urban forest. To keep our tree resources healthy and abundant, you can:

• Support the City of Greensboro and the Parks & Recreation Department’s efforts to plant and care for trees on city property. Neighborhood Associations or Civic groups interested in a more active role may participate in the "Adopt-A-Park" program.
• Get involved in Greensboro Beautiful and its many tree-related programs. Visit one of the botanical gardens to learn more about individual trees and to discover new varieties to try in your own landscape. Volunteer to help educate others about trees through Greensboro Beautiful’s Urban Forestry activities.
• Become active in your child’s PTA beautification and environmental committee. School campuses need trees and landscaping, and assistance getting students involved in "outdoor classroom" activities. Encourage teachers to incorporate tree-related classes into their science curriculum.
• Plant, appreciate and care for trees on your own property. Visit your local garden center or nursery to select healthy trees. Use care when selecting trees to be sure that it’s mature size is appropriate to your planting site. Talk to nursery staff or call the Guilford County Cooperative Extension Service to learn to plant, prune, fertilize, and tackle tree problems. Greensboro Beautiful has developed a list of recommended trees, which thrive in Greensboro. We have a number of great resources in Greensboro – take advantage of them!

Celebrate Arbor Day on March 20, by picking up and planting your two free trees compliments of Greensboro Beautiful and the Greensboro Parks & Recreation Department. For more information call the City Beautiful office at 373-2199.