Arbor Day Celebration

Arbor Day Celebration

April 12, 2025
11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Blue Ridge Court, Baker Events Lawn & Promenade

Arbor Day represents hope for the future. The act of planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and endless natural beauty — all for a better tomorrow.

Nebraska City, NE, is the official birthplace of the Arbor Day holiday, where the first celebration took place on April 10, 1872; however, communities around the globe gather every year to celebrate trees and plant for a greener tomorrow.

Join The North Carolina Arboretum on Saturday, April 12, to honor the value and various roles that trees play in our lives and in our ecosystems, and learn how to protect and nurture the trees in your yard and community. 

Additionally, the Arboretum will proclaim a new statewide initiative, North Carolina’s Tree of the Year, to practice and promote tree education, science, and conservation, at a time when Western North Carolina and the Arboretum are recovering from devastating tree canopy loss due to Hurricane Helene last September. 

The schedule for Arbor Day Celebration activities is: 

• 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Tree Giveaway of one tree per household, generously donated by Arbor Day Foundation, Asheville Greenworks, and Woodwise Botanicals; tree care demonstrations from Community Partner Bartlett Tree Experts and exhibitors Echoes of the Forest, EcoForesters and Hemlock Restoration Initiative; EcoExplore kids activities; and food and coffee trucks on site
• 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Treehugger puppet performance by Street Creature Puppet Collective
• 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.: Guided trail walks
• 12 :00 to 1:00 p.m.: Proclamation and ceremonial planting of the inaugural North Carolina Tree of the Year
• 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.: Music from Old Sap
• 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.: Music from Mike Hollon
• 4:30 to 5:45 p.m.: Music from Chris Wilhelm

A Little Something for the Trees:
2025 Arbor Day Campaign

In parallel with this year’s new Spring Into the Arb! series, the A Little Something for the Trees: 2025 Arbor Day Campaign, will directly support the Arboretum’s reforestation efforts through education, outreach and physical plantings.

Gifts made to the Arboretum’s ONE Fund through April 30 will be counted towards this campaign. ALL gifts to the ONE Fund will be utilized for the highest and greatest needs, no matter what time of year.

Give “a little something for the trees” this year and make a tangible difference for our region’s tree canopy and biodiversity.

Donate Now

This event is part of Spring Into the Arb! Celebrate the return of spring with a series of events and happenings throughout March, April, May and June! Spring is a time of renewal and emergence, and The North Carolina Arboretum is excited to welcome this season with plant shows, nature programs, education, music, art and more!