CLEARWATER, Fla. - The city of Clearwater will continue its tradition of celebrating Arbor Day by giving the gift of trees to Clearwater residents.
The annual tree giveaway will be held on Saturday, April 27, at the Public Works Complex, 1650 N. Arcturas Ave., from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Proof of residency is required and may include a Florida driver's license, voter's registration card, or a recent utility bill. City arborists and a state urban forester will be available to answer questions about properly planting and caring for the trees.
Participants can choose up to two trees in 3-gallon containers. Varieties include Crape Myrtle (White Natchez, Lavender Muskogee, Pink Sioux, Red Tuscarora), Red Cluster Bottlebrush, Simpson Stopper, Walter's Viburnum, Silver and Green Buttonwood, Red Maple, Pignut Hickory, Pecan, Catalpa, Sugarberry, Mayhaw, Persimmon, Green Ash, Dahoon Holly, Yaupon Holly, Southern Red Cedar, Sweetbay, Southern Magnolia, Blackgum, Slash Pine, Pinus Palustris, Sycamore, Chickasaw Plumb, Live Oak and Baldcypress.
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The city of Clearwater has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 42 years, and Clearwater is one of 3,600 communities nationwide that participate in the Tree City USA program. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation and administered in Florida by the Division of Forestry.
Participating communities have demonstrated a commitment to caring for and managing their public trees. To qualify, a city must meet certain criteria which includes establishment of an advisory board, enactment of a municipal tree ordinance, celebration of Arbor Day annually, and maintenance of a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita.
"Cities across the globe are facing lower air quality, limited water resources, decreased personal health and well-being, and greater energy use," said Dan Lambe, President of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Clearwater continues to be a part of the solution, helping create a greener future for generations to come."
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