NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Winter is a great time to plant trees and grasses in the New Hanover County area. The annual TreeFest offers free seedlings for local residents.
Established in 1997 after hurricanes Bertha and Fran destroyed many trees, TreeFest is an annual distribution of native tree and grass seedlings to help New Hanover County residents increase the tree canopy and biodiversity in their yards.
TreeFest will be held Friday, Jan. 19 and Saturday, Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., inside Independence Mall in the JC Penney wing.
According to Jessica Loeper, New Hanover County Communications and Outreach Coordinator, the trees and grasses available for distribution are grown in Goldsboro, N.C., at the NC Forest Service Nursery. Seedlings will be wrapped in wet newspaper that can be reused or planted with the tree, then placed in a plastic bag for transporting.
TreeFest is funded by the donations received from participants during the event. There is a suggested donation of $3 and a limit of five trees and/or grasses per household.
More information on the event can be found on New Hanover County’s website or contact TreeFest Committee member Karl Busick at 910-540-4028 or karlbusick@gmail.com.
