Homeowners, tree advocates, and volunteers will be busy shoveling dirt and planting trees this month in celebration of Georgia Arbor Day. To take advantage of the South’s ideal tree-planting season, Georgia Arbor Day is held annually on the third Friday of the month, which in 2024 falls on February 16. Special events are scheduled throughout February in communities statewide.
“The Georgia Forestry Commission is proud to partner with local tree boards and organizations that plan to get trees in the ground this month,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore. “Planting trees is always the right thing to do for environmental services, beautification, and wildlife habitat enhancement. Trees are valuable defense systems, too, and by planting them we can combat canopy loss from development pressures, storms, and pest issues. Planting more trees makes good sense for today and for generations to come.”
The state celebration for Georgia Arbor Day will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 in Madison, GA, where special recognition will be given to communities that have achieved Tree City USA status. Planting demonstrations are planned and educational materials and tree seedlings will be given out. GA Arbor Day event.
Recently, the Georgia Forestry Commission and Georgia Tree Council awarded more than $6 million in federal grants to communities with projects that increase the benefits of tree canopy. Twenty-three recipients were chosen to receive financial assistance for projects that include canopy mapping, staffing, storm planning, and other urban and community forestry undertakings.
“It’s been said by many that a person who plants a tree, plants hope,” Lowrimore added. “These grant recipients are making tangible investments in future generations by planting more trees today.”
In addition, a new study by the Georgia Forestry Commission and Georgia Tech shows the total economic impact of Urban & Community forestry in Georgia rose 12.7% from the previous year to $7.1 billion in 2022.
For information about Georgia Arbor Day events in your community, contact your local tree board or city officials.
To learn more about planting trees and services of the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit GaTrees.org.
Georgia Forestry Commission
