That’s right, the third Friday of January every year marks Florida Arbor Day. Florida celebrates Arbor Day in January because that is the best time of year to plant a tree in Florida. National Arbor Day is celebrated in April when most of the other areas throughout the United States are just beginning to thaw out from the cold and snowy winter.
![trees cropped](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/files/2016/01/trees-cropped-273x300.jpg)
Florida Arbor Day has been celebrated since 1886 and we are sticking to that tradition! On Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 8:30-11:30am a team of UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County staff will host an “Adopt-A-Tree” program just for you! Learn everything you need to know about how to choose, plant, establish and maintain a new tree. Topics covered will include: “What Trees Provide for Us”, “Fun Tree Facts”, “Putting a Tree in the Right Place”, “Initial Planting and Tree Care” and “After-Care and Maintenance”. There will be both hands-on and lecture segments for this program. Class subjects are taught by UF/IFAS Extension Agents. There will be a variety of adoptable trees to choose from that are specially selected to fit in the different types of habitats found in Pinellas County.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Also, if you are on social media, please help us spread the word about this opportunity. You can always find out what is going on by visiting our website at www.pinellascountyextension.org or liking us on facebook, twitter, instagram or subscribing to our blogs!
Fun Fact: Did you know that our State Tree is the Sabal Palm (Sabal palmetto). Sometimes referred to as a Cabbage Palm, this tree was designated as our state tree back in 1953! Funny thing is the Sabal Palm is not a true tree, but is actually more closely related to grasses. Other trees that were in the running for the state tree include the: royal palm, slash pine and longleaf pine.
An Equal Opportunity Institution.