From The Tribune staff reports
LEEDS — The City of Leeds announced the 2022 Tree Seedling Give-Away with Leeds Tree Commission, Jefferson County Conservation District, and the Alabama Forestry Commission will be held on Saturday, February 26, at The Outlet Shops of Grand River.
Each year, the Alabama Forestry Commission, in partnership with local Conservation Districts, plans a tree give-away event across the state for citizens to have access to seedlings. In addition, the tree distribution celebrates Arbor Week, which will be observed February 20-26 to encourage tree planting.
Katie Wiswall, a Certified Arborist and one of the two Urban Foresters in the state with the Commission, commented on the importance of this program.
“We chose Leeds for the Jefferson County give-away this year since Leeds is a Tree City,” Wiswall said. “This is one of the programs we promote in Alabama.”
The trees given away will be small bare-root seedlings approximately 18 to 24 inches long. The specific tree inventory has not been finalized, but seedlings such as redbud, dogwood, and white oak will be given away. They will be easy to plant, and each recipient will receive an educational handout containing information about the tree, tree characteristics such as what it will look like, where to plant and how to take care of it.
The Give-Away is aimed at residents of Jefferson, although anyone that happens to be shopping at the mall during that time can pick up a tree. This event is scheduled from 12 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. or until all seedlings have been distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, there are limits to how many trees each citizen can receive. Plans are to set up near the fountain at The Shops, weather permitting, with a rain location under the Atrium near the food court.
This event is made possible by the Jefferson County Conservation District, the Alabama Forestry Commission, the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Outlet Shops of Grand River, and the Tree Commission for the City of Leeds. Leeds Tree Commission has been in existence since 1984 and is committed to planting and preserving trees, managing trees on public property, overseeing mass cuttings of trees within the city limits of Leeds, and working with the Alabama Forestry Commission. Its members include Eddie Cook – Chairman, Linda Miller, Susan Carswell, Lisa Herren, and Sue Jones – Emeritus Member.
The Outlet Shops of Grand River is located in historic Leeds, off I-20 at Exit 140, the center is centrally for Jefferson and St. Clair residents to pick up their trees at 6200 Grand River Boulevard East.
For more information about this event or The Outlet Shops of Grand River, please visit www.shopsofgrandriver.com.