Photo Credit: Jennifer BruseEvents
The Woodlands Township hosts 48th Annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway
The Woodlands’ annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway took place Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon at Rob Fleming Park. The Woodlands celebrated its 48th year of giving away seedlings to residents, making it one of the longest-standing community traditions.
View photos and videos from the event on the Hello Woodlands Facebook page (click here) and Instagram page (click here).
Volunteers greeted attendees and helped pass out bags for seedling transport, a guide on which varieties were available, and the twelve native trees available, categorized into overstory and understory trees.
- Overstory trees comprise the upper layer of the forest and typically reach heights greater than 60 feet at maturity. The selection of overstory trees included Shortleaf Pine, Nuttall Oak, White Oak, Pecan and Black Willow.
- Understory trees range from 8 to 50 feet and are generally more shade tolerant. These smaller varieties included Persimmon, Flowering Dogwood, Black Cherry, Chickasaw Plum, False Indigo, Buttonbush and Eastern Redbud.
The morning may have been gray and overcast, but that didn’t stop residents bringing their warm smiles and thank you’s (and dogs!) as they excitedly selected seedlings to bring home. Attendees also had the opportunity to talk with experts, get a tree demo, and chat with the Texas A&M Forest Service, Plant for Pollinators, and The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N.
Since 1977, more than 1.5 million seedlings have been distributed. Each of these native seedlings benefit local wildlife: flowering varieties provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and berry producing trees offer small mammals and birds a source of food. All are critical hosts for beneficial insects. Residents are encouraged to plant the tree seedlings received at the free event on residential property, in community open space reserves and in forest preserves.
This year’s event was produced by The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department with support from Howard Hughes and Waste Management.
UPDATE 1/27 11:30am: The Township just reported that this year’s Arbor Day Tree Giveaway gave away 16,500 trees and 2,400 seed packages! At 11:30 a.m., The Township shared that, “The event was so successful that we have run out of trees. Our onsite experts will be here until noon to answer any questions that you may have about planting your trees.”
Source: The Woodlands Township
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