MDC to give away seedlings at KC Arbor Day event April 18

Arbor Day celebrates trees and the spring planting season. 

For information on tree planting and care, 

visit http://mdc.mo.gov/node/3321.

                     Missouri Department of Conservation photo

Healthy Trees for Life Arbor Day celebration will be in KC's Loose Park

Kansas City, Mo. – Missouri State Forester Lisa Allen will be among the speakers at the Healthy Trees for Life Arbor Day celebration 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Loose Park, 55th and Summit Streets. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is a partner of the free event, hosted by Kansas City Parks & Recreation, and will give away swamp white oak seedling trees at the event. Allen is the MDC Forestry Division Chief.

   Presentations at the Arbor Day event will give area residents a chance to learn ways to keep trees healthy, how trees benefit people and wildlife, and what threats trees face from disease or invasive species such as emerald ash borer. Family fun activities will be offered such as kids’ scavenger hunt and free giveaways. Kansas City will be honored as a TreeCity_USA for its commitment to healthy trees. Arbor Day Foundation President Dan Lambe is scheduled to attend.

   Spring is a good time to plant trees and give them a chance to adapt before the summer stress of hot weather. Arbor Day celebrates the value of trees, the planting season and proper care for trees. MDC foresters encourage property owners to plant native trees. They’re adapted to local soils and climate, and they’re good for butterflies, birds and other wildlife.

   For more information on tree care, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/3321.  The Heartland Tree Alliance, an MDC partner, provides information about trees that do well specifically in the Kansas City area at https://www.bridgingthegap.org/heartland-tree-alliance. A useful source for information about native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees is available athttp://www.grownative.org.