In 1886 Florida designated the third Friday in January as Florida’s Arbor Day. “While many holidays bring awareness to events of historical significance, Arbor Day is a unique national holiday focusing on the future” explained Joseph MacKenzie, Senior Forester, Florida Forest Service. “As trees reach full potential, they provide social, environmental and economic benefits for future generations.”

Budding ‘green thumbs’ and experienced gardeners listened intently and expounded on benefits of trees; shade, oxygen, food source, beauty, wildlife habitat and sound buffer. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping principle, Right Plant, Right Place, guided tree selection.

Best practices for planting trees in sandy soils was explained, demonstrated and put into practice (Gilman and Paterson, 2017).  Staff and members of the Friends of Manatee saw firsthand how to correct root defects before planting. This is a YouTube link to view Arbor Day at Manatee Springs State Park video.

“These partnerships with UF/IFAS Extension and forestry adds another layer” shared Cory-Ogden “the opportunity to educate” the more than 174,000 annual visitors who enjoy the trails, springs, and woods of Manatee Springs State Park.

CITE:
Edward F. Gilman and Laura P. Paterson, 2017, download a pdf of Planting and Establishing Trees, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP314?downloadOpen=true

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