Garden clubs set tree give-away

National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, but in Florida, it is the third Friday in January. [Pixabay.com]

MILTON — In Santa Rosa County, the Florida Forest Service will give away a variety of tree species in 1-gallon containers to celebrate Florida’s Arbor Day. National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, but in Florida, it is the third Friday in January.

Species to be given away include tulip poplar, Chickasaw plum and sycamore. Quantities are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis (one tree per person or family). Santa Rosa County's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension representatives will distribute information on the species and conduct a planting demonstration.

The Navarre Garden Club will celebrate Arbor Day 10 a.m. Jan. 19 by planting a tree at the Navarre Gardens Assisted Living Facility located at 7254 Navarre Parkway. Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners and the Santa Rosa County Forestry Department will provide native trees in 1-gallon pots for distribution as well as information about services they offer in the county. Refreshments will follow the ceremony. Contact Ginger Eisele at geisele@mchsi.com for details. 

The Milton Garden Club Arbor Day Celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Milton Event Center, formerly the Milton Garden Club, 5256 Alabama St. The forestry service will give free trees and there should be a visit from Smokey Bear around 11 a.m. Master Gardeners will be on hand to provide educational material and answer questions. There will be a $5 chili lunch hosted by Milton Garden Club.

Contact Ashlee White, Santa Rosa County Forester with the Florida Forest Service, at Ashlee.White@FreshFromFlorida.com or call 626-3028, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Garden clubs set tree give-away