The City of Statesboro Tree Board will host an Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Planting on Saturday, February 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at Marvin Avenue Park, located at 399 Marvin Ave.
The free, family-friendly event brings together local organizations, educators and tree advocates to celebrate Georgia Arbor Day while highlighting the importance of trees and strong community connections.
The celebration will feature hands-on tree-related activities, a tree giveaway and raffle, educational demonstrations, native plant sales and a nonperishable food and pet food drive benefiting the Statesboro Food Bank and the Humane Society of Statesboro and Bulloch County.
Each donated food or pet food item counts as one entry into the tree raffle, with the more items donated, the greater the chance of winning a tree. Trees for the raffle have been donated by Southern Scapes Nursery, Inc. and Wise Nurseries. Entrants must be present to win and will be able to choose their tree.
“The Statesboro Tree Board had the idea to host a community-wide event where different organizations can come together to share how they help people while making it fun to learn about trees,” said Shawn Diddie, chair of the City of Statesboro Tree Board and a certified arborist. “Everyone in a community needs trees, trees need people in that community, and people need each other. I liken that idea to: People need Trees; People need People.”
Tree Planting in Honor of Henry Clay
A memorial tree planting will take place at 10:30 a.m. in Honor of Henry Clay. Clay was a founding member of the City of Statesboro Tree Board and served on the Board for 40 years, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s urban forestry efforts.
Wesley Parker, former chair of the City of Statesboro Tree Board, who served alongside Clay for 10 years and was a close friend, will share remarks during the ceremony.
“Henry had such a passion for the City of Statesboro,” said Sandra Clay, his wife. “He put forth a tireless effort toward the beauty of the city through the planting, pruning, and care of trees.”
Education, Activities and Community Partners
The Georgia Forestry Commission will give away free native tree seedlings. All the Buzz Native Plant Nursery will offer native plants for purchase and share information about its new nursery location at 1557 Ellis Road in Register.
Several local schools have been invited to participate, including Statesboro STEAM S.E.R.V.E.S., which will host a hands-on tree-related activity while sharing how the program supports the community.
Georgia Southern University Student Service Learners from Professor Lissa Leege’s botany class have been invited to lead activities throughout the event. Leege also serves as chair of the City of Statesboro Greener Boro Commission, which will be present.
Marcus Toole, community outreach coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Bulloch County, will provide information about Habitat’s work in the community. Toole, a local expert on fruit trees, will also share guidance on pollination, fruit tree cultivation, and grafting techniques. He will have grafted fruit trees and suckers available for purchase. Attendees who win a fruit tree in the raffle are encouraged to speak with him.
The Importance of Arbor Day
The Statesboro Tree Board hopes that hosting events like the Arbor Day Celebration will highlight the importance of trees and demonstrate the impact that a healthy tree canopy can have in Statesboro.
The first American Arbor Day took place in Nebraska in 1872. In the 154 years since then, Arbor Day has been celebrated nationwide on the last Friday in April, with many states celebrating on a day that coincides with its region’s best tree-planting weather and conditions. For example, Georgia celebrates Arbor Day on the third Friday of February, near the end of its optimal tree planting season. In the Southeast region, the ideal time to plant trees is during the dormant season (November 1 through March 1).
“There are definitely benefits to planting trees during the winter months in South Georgia,” said Diddie. “It is less stressful on the tree. The earlier a tree is planted during dormancy, the longer it has to acclimate to the soil and develop crucial roots that absorb water, which improves survival during Georgia’s long, hot summers.”
During the Statesboro City Council meeting on February 3, Mayor Jonathan McCollar signed a proclamation officially recognizing February 20 as Arbor Day in the City of Statesboro.
The City of Statesboro was also recognized during the council meeting by Parker Dukes of the Georgia Forestry Commission for earning the Tree City USA designation for the 33rd consecutive year. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Statesboro achieved the Tree City USA designation for meeting the program’s four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The City of Statesboro Tree Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend and learn more about the Board’s work supporting the City’s urban forestry efforts.
Organizations interested in volunteering or hosting an informational table may email ksbb@statesboroga.gov for more information.
