Foley, Orange Beach, Magnolia Springs & Gulf Shores celebrate Arbor Day with giveaways

Foley, Orange Beach, Magnolia Springs & Gulf Shores celebrate Arbor Day with giveaways
Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley – official tree cities all – will celebrate Arbor Day with tree giveaways on Feb. 24, while Magnolia Springs will celebrate on Feb. 17.
Communities that earn Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet strict standards, they know that trees improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.
Gulf Shores Arbor Day
Gulf Shores Arbor Day event on February 24 will be from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. at the Erie Meyer Civic Center. Residents of each household that reside within the city limits may select four different trees from the six varieties: American Snowbell, Sweetbay Magnolia, Wild Olive, Trident Maple, Pawpaw and Flatwoods Plum.
To receive the trees, residents must register at the check-in table with proof of Gulf Shores residency. Residents receive four tickets per qualifying household. The trees are potted in one gallon containers and are ready for planting. A brochure giving specifics on each tree is available to residents. Members of the Gulf Shores Landscape Division will be onsite to answer questions about the trees.
As an additional incentive, there will be a drawing for 12 specialty fruit trees at 9 a.m. Residents who are registered and present will be entered into the drawing. For more info, call 251-968-1166.
Orange Beach Arbor Day
Orange Beach will give away saplings away in front of Community Development on Saturday, February 24 from 8-10 a.m. Seedling varieties will include button bush, river birch, chestnut oak and bald cypress.
For the 20th year, Orange Beach has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: it has a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. For more info, contact Larry Ellis at 251-981-1062.
Foley Arbor Day
Foley’s 37th Annual Celebration of Arbor Day will be held at the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market, located at 20733 Miflin Road, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. Boy Scout Troop 77 will assist in distributing trees. An assortment of trees in three gallon containers will be available, one per person please. Bald Cypress and Southern Magnolia trees will be dedicated and planted in memory of three special people who loved Foley and made the city a better place because of the time they spent here. Dedications will be made in memory of Mr. J.M. Lee, Mr. Sidney Kaiser and Ms. Patsy Brackin.
Foley, formally recognized as a Tree City, proudly promotes the planting of trees. Trees reduce erosion, cut heating and cooling costs, produce oxygen, provide habitat for wildlife and add beauty to our environment. The Baldwin County Master Gardeners, and certified arborists, and representatives from the Alabama Forestry Commission will be on hand to answer questions about trees.
Magnolia Springs Arbor Day
The Magnolia Springs Garden Club will again sponsor Arbor Day in Magnolia Springs on Saturday, February 17 from 8 – 11 a.m. at the Magnolia Springs Fire Hall located on the corner of CR 49 and Gates Ave. Mayor Bob Holk will read the Town’s proclamation and the Boy Scouts and Head Start will also participate. Refreshments will be served.
A variety of trees will be given away, including: Fringe tree, Sand Oak, Long Leaf Pine, Yellow Poplar, Sweetbay Magnolia, Red Buckeye, Crab Apple and Wax Myrtle.
Gerry Lester is President of the Garden Club and Joy Zeanah is serving as 2018 Arbor Day Chair.
Pictured: Members of Scout Troop 77 distribute trees at the 2017 Arbor Day celebration in Foley.