Tree Adoption and Planting Events to be Held

The City of Cedar Rapids will hold several tree planting events and opportunities in the next few weeks. The City will celebrate Arbor Day with a tree planting event at 9:00 a.m., on October 16, at Cedar River Academy at Taylor Elementary. This celebration is typically held in April, but was postponed this year due to COVID-19. Students will receive instruction in tree planting and care and plant four to six trees on the school site.

As a requirement of Tree City USA, the City must hold an Arbor Day tree planting within the calendar year, although it does not need to be held on Arbor Day. The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the City of Cedar Rapids as a Tree City USA for more than 40 consecutive years. Cedar Rapids holds the longest consecutive record of any city in the state of Iowa.

In addition to the Arbor Day event, the City of Cedar Rapids in partnership with Trees Forever and Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust, will hold two tree adoption events. The events are part of the City’s ReLeaf program which focuses on replanting the tree canopy in Cedar Rapids. Residents of Cedar Rapids may reserve two trees or shrubs for between $10.00 to $15.00 each at https://trees-forever-tree-adoption.square.site/. The trees will be approximately three to six feet tall, in five-gallon planting buckets, and the shrubs will be between two and five feet tall in three-gallon planting buckets. They must be planted on resident’s private property within one week of pickup. Trees are available while supplies last.

Pick-up for trees and shrubs will occur on Sunday, October 25, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium, and Sunday, November 1, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Noelridge Park in the pool parking lot. Trees must be reserved and paid for by October 23 for the October 25 event, and by October 30 for the November 1 event. Trees must be picked up during designated times.

Residents will be provided with tree care information and be asked to commit to continual care for the trees and shrubs. Individuals who are physically unable to plant trees will have access to assistance from Trees Forever volunteers on the day they pick up their trees.