Friday, March 5, 2021 • 10:00 a.m.
Memphis Botanic Garden: 750 Cherry Road, Memphis TN 38117
Celebrate the official City of Memphis Arbor Day and help Memphis City Beautiful celebrate their 90th anniversary by participating in the “Plant the Town Red” campaign. The celebration will include a reading of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s proclamation, a tree planting demonstration, tree giveaway, and a tour of the magnificent trees at Memphis Botanic Garden.
This event is free and open to the public. Masks and social distancing are required.
Tree Planting: A ‘Wildfire’ Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’) will be planted to show support for the “Plant the Town Red” campaign. This beautiful tree, with red foliage in spring and fall, was chosen and donated by longtime MBG supporter Dabney Nursery.
Tree Giveaway: These saplings, chosen to support Memphis City Beautiful’s “Plant the Town Red” campaign, will be provided by The Arbor Day Foundation to honor Memphis as a Tree City USA.
- Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) – mixed yellow & red fall foliage
- Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana) – leaves reddish bronze in fall
- Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) – red berries, red fall color
Tree Tour: Join Arborist Bo Kelley and Urban Forestry Advisor Linnea West on a tour through the Memphis Botanic Garden where they will discuss the role and value of trees in both natural and urban environments. Techniques for accurately identifying species in the field will be examined and tips for proper planting and care of trees will be offered. A journal or notebook and weather appropriate clothing are recommended. Join us at Memphis Botanic Garden to celebrate the magnificence of trees on Arbor Day!