Get into Arbor Day spirit with events at The Woodlands Arbor Day Celebration and Trees for Houston

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Arbor Day, the annual observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care, could never have come at more important time for the city of Houston. After Hurricane Harvey, which brought so much destruction to homes and vegetation, finding new growth is a possibility with the Arbor Day tree giveaway in The Woodlands and the tree planting event with Trees for Houston. 

See where you can go to make this most of this day celebrating the beauty of trees in our lives:

THE WOODLANDS® ANNUAL ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION SET FOR SAT., JANUARY 20 AT HUGHES LANDING®

The Woodlands® Development Company will host the annual Arbor Day celebration in The Woodlands on Saturday, January 20 from 10 am to 2 pm at Hughes Landing® on Lake Woodlands.

Over 65,500 free tree seedlings will be given away at the 42nd annual Arbor Day celebration – one of the longest standing traditions in the community.

Since 1977, The Woodlands Development Company and its sponsors have given away nearly 1.5 million tree seedlings at Arbor Day.  This year, nine varieties of free tree seedlings will be available. The selection of trees includes American Elm, Eastern Redbud, Laurel Oak, Live Oak, Loblolly Pine, Overcup Oak, Sawtooth Oak, Water Oak and Willow Oak.

“We are excited to give away a varied selection of free tree seedlings and continue a popular tradition that enriches our forested community and adds to the natural beauty of The Woodlands. We thank our sponsors who help us with this effort,” said Tim Welbes, Co-President of The Woodlands Development Company. “Residents and guests are invited to come out and enjoy the festivities. We want to encourage residents to collect their free tree seedlings at the Arbor Day celebration and plant them on their property, in community open space reserves and in forest preserves.”

The Woodlands Township is the tree sponsor and BrightView Landscaping Services is a participating sponsor.

“The Woodlands Township knows the importance of Arbor Day and is proud to sponsor this community tradition. The trees given away help long-lasting efforts to add thousands of trees in residential yards, roadways, commercial properties, parks and open spaces,” said Gordy Bunch, Chairman of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors.

Lovable mascot of The Woodlands, Puffy Pine Cone®, will also celebrate his birthday beginning at 1 pm with free birthday cupcakes and a visit with mascot friends, including Bridgeland Bill® from Bridgeland®, the sister community of The Woodlands.

Free giant inflatable rides, rock walls, a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, balloon artists and music will entertain the crowd. Free children’s promotional items will be given away while supplies last.

Hughes Landing is an award-winning, 66-acre mixed-use development on 200-acre Lake Woodlands, located on Hughes Landing Boulevard off Lake Woodlands Drive.

TREES FOR HOUSTON TREE PLANTING EVENT WITH MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY & HOUSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

On January 20, Trees For Houston in conjunction with Memorial Park Conservancy and Houston Parks and Recreation Department will host their annual tree planting community event in celebration of Arbor Day.

Houstonians will plant over 1,000 native trees along Memorial Park’s eastern border that will help the parks ongoing ecological restoration efforts.

Arbor Day celebrates the role trees have in our everyday lives, promotes tree planting and educates the community on the care of trees. Trees are not only aesthetically beautiful but they also provide many benefits to community including:

  • Enhance the City and its Economy: Trees provide homes for animals, increase the relocation value of the city and increase property values up to 20%.
  • Reducing Air Pollution: Trees reduce pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide and particulates (tiny particles floating in our air as a result of combustion) that trigger asthma and other respiratory illnesses in urban areas.
  • Reduce Urban Heat and Home Cooling Bills: Temperatures can vary significantly within a city. Typically, urban forests reduce temperatures in a city as much as 10 °F by shading buildings and concrete and returning humidity to the air through transpiration. Trees provide shade and help reduce cooling costs for home owners.
  • Reduce Water Pollution and Storm Water Runoff: Through their roots, trees absorb and clean excess rainwater. The roots of trees help hold the soil in place therefore preventing erosion.

To volunteer, go to www.treesforhouston.org to signup.

 

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