The 23rd-annual TreeFest in New Hanover County, North Carolina, will be held January 17-18, 2020. Treefest 2020 begins at 10am on Friday and Saturday, and will end at 5pm each day or earlier if supplies run out.
Area residents may choose from a variety of trees and grasses during this event at Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC, inside the JC Penney corridor.
Trees are free and available on a first come, first served basis, and supplies are limited. A $5 donation per household is suggested.
Trees and grasses are grown at the NC Forest Service Nursery in Goldsboro, NC (Wayne County). Trees will be bare root (not in soil) and should be planted promptly. Tree species that may be available include:
- bald cypress
- black walnut
- red maple
- silky dogwood
- sweetgum
- crape myrtle
- cherry bark oak
- chestnut oak
- live oak
- white oak
- longleaf pine
Indian grass will also be available.
Before selecting trees, residents are encouraged to consider the size of the site, whether utility lines exist above/below ground, proximity to structures, and site conditions (soil type, drainage, and sun exposure). During the two days of TreeFest, experts will be available to help residents with tree selection and care instructions.
TreeFest began in 1997 after hurricanes Bertha and Fran destroyed trees in the area. The event offers the local community a way to rebuild the local tree canopy. Said New Hanover County Arboretum and Cooperative Extension Director Lloyd Singleton:
“Our area has lost trees to recent storms and TreeFest is the perfect opportunity to get replacement trees and rebuild the tree canopy in our community. Trees are important to our quality of life as well as our environment.”
This giveaway is made possible by a planning committee, and sponsors including:
- NC Forest Service
- NC Cooperative Extension
- New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District
- UNCW Department of Environmental Sciences
- Wilmington Earth Day Alliance
- Alliance for Cape Fear Trees
- New Hanover County Parks and Gardens
- Independence Mall
For more information, call 910.798.7670. Updates may be posted to the New Hanover County Government Facebook or Twitter.
Source: New Hanover County
