Sunday, February 9, 2025

Tree-lovers rejoice: 1,500 free trees to be given away for Arbor Day

Lost a tree to recent hurricanes? Looking to expand your personal part of the region’s canopy? Some free trees (and seedlings) might help. (Port City Daily photo / Courtesy Arbor Day Foundation)

WILMINGTON — This weekend, arboreal enthusiasts can score free trees as part of a program to help replace trees lost to Hurricane Florence.

The event, held this weekend, will give away 1,500 trees thanks to a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Recovery Campaign and the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation.

Twenty different species of trees will be distributed, with a limit of two per person or four per household. According to a release from the campaigns, “arborists will be onsite to educate residents on proper planting techniques and to advise on appropriate tree selection. All trees will be free of charge for area residents and are offered to help replace trees damaged and destroyed by Hurricane Florence.”

In addition to the 3-gallon trees, the Plastic Oceans Project will also distribute 1,500 bare-root tree seedlings.

“The people of Wilmington, North Carolina, have suffered great personal and physical loss,” Arbor Day Foundation President Dan Lambe said. “By replanting, we strive to bring healing and hope to the people and the communities in which they live, as well as help return the beauty and the value trees bring back to their properties.”

Connie Parker, founder of the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees (which has planted over 400 trees since it was founded), said “this distribution is significant to the recovery of Wilmington’s urban canopy,” adding, “we are delighted to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation and the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation to replenish what was lost, while educating our citizens on the importance of proper tree planting and tree care.” 

The event will be held Saturday, December 14 at Legion Stadium, 2149 Carolina Beach Road.

Trees will be given away from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. (or until trees run out).

The event is part of more than $2 million in funding from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation set aside to plant trees in 40 areas around the country. You can find more information about the Arbor Day Foundation here.

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