The tree planting season in Baton Rouge is in January so trees will have time to get established before the summer heat. This is why Arbor Day is so early here! Wild Ones volunteers got bundled up and headed out to the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens for the 15th annual Arbor Day event. Hundreds of visitors were already arriving right at opening time to receive a free tree from Baton Rouge Green. Families had lots of fun activities to enjoy, including axe throwing, tree climbing, and planting a tree in the Burden Woods.
Wild Ones hosted a table right near the tree giveaway and the giant Smokey the Bear inflatable – a prime spot for reaching the curious public.
Back in July, Baton Rouge Green purchased 1,000 seedlings, and Wild Ones, Master Naturalist, and Master Gardener volunteers potted them up. The young trees were maintained in the pots at the LSU AgCenter nursery until Arbor Day. The trees were healthy and happy for the big giveaway. The tree species included two hybrids and nine natives: Buttonbush, Eagleston Holly, Black Walnut, Southern Magnolia, Red Mulberry, Black Tupelo, American Plum, White Oak, Willow Oak, Pond Cypress, and Winged Elm.
