GAINESVILLE, Fla. — National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, although some states observe it on dates that coincide with the local area’s best planting times.
For instance, Hawaii celebrates Arbor Day on the first Friday of November. In Alaska, Arbor Day activities are saved for the third Monday in May. Florida has celebrated Arbor Day since 1886 and has one of the first Arbor Day celebrations in the nation, on the third Friday in January.
To commemorate the national observance on Friday, April 30, UF/IFAS Extension offices in many counties are offering resources, webinars, activities and more.
Looking for reading material to help plant, care or choose a tree? Just ask IFAS! Here are a few items to peruse:
- Planting and establishing trees: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep314
- How Much Space Does My Shade Tree Need? Planting Space Recommendations for Medium and Large Trees in Florida Cities: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep592
- Native trees for South Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/EH/EH15700.pdf
- Trees for South Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/EH/EH14200.pdf
- How trees grow in the urban environment https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr002
- Landscape tree selection by region https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_tree_selection
From UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
If you are looking to adapt to Florida-Friendly Landscaping ™ (FFL) this year, this is the site to visit: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/
There’s plenty to learn from your local UF/IFAS Master Gardener volunteers as well. Whether you are looking for what’s popular to plant this season, or solutions to your lawn or garden questions, check out the various links, resources and activities listed.
Rain barrels and more at UF/IFAS Miami-Dade
Rain season is on its way. It’s time to get ready to collect and save water with a rain barrel from UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County. A free rain barrel workshop is scheduled for Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4erz4sxd. Here you will learn how to build, use and maintain rain barrels along with other water conservation and stormwater prevention tips. For those who purchase a rain barrel, pick-up will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Miami Dade County Extension Office, 18710 SW 288th Street, Miami, Florida 33030.
Face masks must be worn. Please do not exit your vehicle at any time during the pick-up. Staff will place the rain barrel in your car. Please have your vehicle ready with an open slot in advance for the rain barrel. For additional information contact: Barbara McAdam at bmcadam@ufl.edu
Tree Expertise
For added information and expertise on tree selections in urban and agriculture areas, feel free to contact Henrique Mayer, commercial urban horticulture Extension agent IV, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, at hmayer@ufl.edu or by calling the Extension office at 305-248-3311 Ext. 231.
Webinar at UF/IFAS Extension Martin County
Learn about small trees for South Florida’s landscapes with Jennifer Pelham, an urban horticulture agent and director of UF/IFAS Extension Martin County. In this pre-recorded webinar found on this link, https://tinyurl.com/ykf699pe, Pelham walks you through zones, tree species, turf and much more to get you through the basics of what can help you grow a successful tree in the South Florida environment. The webinar is free. For more information, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Martin County at 772-419-6964.
UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County Tree Giveaway Planned
UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County has planned a tree give-away of native trees, Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. These free trees will be given to those who pre-register and attend a workshop on tree planting and care. In addition to trees, there will be plants and rain barrels available for sale. Plants available are propagated by UF/IFAS Master Gardeners and will range in size and prices. Complete rain barrels are $42.80 and are 55-gallon recycled food grade drums. To attend participants must pre-register for the free tree or plant and rain barrel sale. Please register for one time slot only to receive one free tree per customer. This event is by appointment only and will take place at Centennial Park Recreation Center, 1120 Centennial Blvd., Port Charlotte. Masks and social distancing will be strictly enforced.
For more information, contact Ralph Mitchell, director of UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County, at Ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Register for the tree event in Charlotte County here. For more information please contact UF/IFAS Charlotte County Extension by calling 941-764-4340
Adopt Tree from UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
When you take home a free tree from the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County event on April 29, you’ll adopt that plant. Sarasota County’s tree adoption program will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota. Pre-registration is required. To register, click here. Contact Marguerite Beckford, commercial horticulture Extension agent, at mbeckford@ufl.edu.
Tree Expertise
For added information and expert opinion on the value of trees in urban forests, feel free to contact Rob Northrop, urban forester for UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, northrop@ufl.edu
–Lourdes Mederos, UF/IFAS
