PLANT A VALENTINE
Want some beautiful blooming trees for your yard? Or need some big shade trees? We’ve got eastern redbud, live oak, black gum, and sycamore seedlings to give away. Stop by any of these locations and pick up some free trees while supplies last!!
Friday, Feb. 14, 9-11 a.m. - Elizabeth City/Pasquotank Senior Center, 215 W. Water St., Elizabeth City, NC
Friday, Feb. 14, 2-4 p.m. - Camden County Library, 118 NC Hwy 343 N, Camden NC
Saturday, Feb. 15, 9-11 a.m. - Pasquotank County Library, 100 E. Colonial, Elizabeth City, NC
Trees are first-come, first-served at each location. We will have some experts on hand to answer your questions. The seedlings will be about 12 to 15 inches tall and dormant. Plant as soon as possible for best results.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
SIGN UP HERE TO HELP US WRAP OR GIVEAWAY THE TREES.
Volunteers get first dibs on any leftover trees!
About the trees
Eastern redbud is a small, tough, and adaptable tree. It has large, heart-shaped leaves and bright pink to purple early spring blooms. It grows to only 20 or 30 feet tall and spreads about 25 feet wide, making it suitable for any yard.
Live oaks make magnificent shade trees. Live oaks are a medium-sized evergreen, rarely growing more than 50 feet tall with branches reaching out 50-100 feet wide. They are a slow-growing, long-lived tree and are great for wildlife. They are also wind-resistant.
Black gum is a medium-sized, slow-growing, deciduous tree with beautiful, scarlet red fall color. It’s upright growth works well in most landscapes. It is a good street tree and shade tree, and an excellent choice to support wildlife.
Sycamore is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree with distinctive bark. It can reach 75 to 100 feet tall. This tree requires a very large space.
Being native trees, the eastern redbud, live oak, black gum, and sycamore trees grow well in our climate and soil conditions. They are more resistant to local pests and fungal infections than non-native trees. They are an important food source to native pollinating insects, and their seeds and berries are eaten by many species of wildlife.
Click here to learn more about the trees.
Why Plant Trees?
Trees help clean our air, water, and soils of pollutants that harm our health. They help to cool down the surrounding area and our atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide, helping to fight climate change. They reduce flooding and soil erosion and are important for wildlife. Planting native trees are better for the ecosystem than non-native trees. Not to mention they are beautiful!
Enjoy
Planting a seedling and watching it grow into a tree is a great outdoor activity for children and families.
Thank you, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Resources
Click here for instructions on how to plant your seedling.
This short video shows you how to plant your baby tree:
Partners:
Green Saves Green
NC Forest Service
Elizabeth City Urban Forestry Commission
Since 2021, we’ve given away 1,000 native trees
We’re delighted so many of you are excited to give these amazing trees a home in your yard and across your many acres. Our local wildlife appreciate it too!
