Forestry Commission announces tree giveaway

Did you know that in 1887, Alabama Governor Thomas Seay signed the state’s first Arbor Day Proclamation?

This tradition of a governor’s proclamation continued through 1975 when the Birmingham Beautification Board, the State Garden Club, the Alabama Forestry Commission and the State Board of Education collaborated with the State Legislature to pass a legislative act designating the last full week in February as Arbor Week.

Previously, proclamations and official functions recognizing the event were periodic and in some years skipped. Today, Arbor Day is observed throughout the state at the same time each year.

Marengo County has always celebrated Arbor Day with its annual tree give away. In the past few years we have held an event in Demopolis and Linden.

We are sorry to say that with low staffing levels and cutbacks in the number of trees to be given away we are cutting back to only a one day event.

The Alabama Forestry Commission in partnership with the Marengo County Natural Resources Coordinating Council will be hosting the Arbor Day Annual Tree Giveaway on Thursday, Feb. 21, at Chickasaw State Park starting at 9 a.m. Chickasaw State Park is located on US Highway 43 between Demopolis and Linden.

A list of trees we will have are Japanese Maple, Crepe Myrtle, Green Ash, Pond Cypress, Blackgum, Bald Cypress, Red Maple, Red Bud, Persimmon, Sawtooth Oak, Shumard Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Overcup Oak, Nuttall Oak and Chickasaw Plum.

If you have any questions about this event or the Marengo County Natural Resources Coordinating Council please call Billy Carlisle at 334-295-5811. Please come join us and help us celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree(s) this year!

Billy Carlisle is a member of the Marengo County Department of the Alabama Forestry Commission.