Central Parks Have Free Arbor Day Trees

Arbor Day Hawaii 2014 has assembled 2,700 trees and shrubs to give away, one per family, beginning at 7 a.m. Nov. 8, accompanied by advice from certified arborists and volunteers on proper care and the best place to plant them.

For Central Oahu residents, the closest locations will be Wahiawa Botanical Garden and Waimea Valley, which also will have a plant sale.

Early arrival is recommended to ensure the best choice.

New varieties this year are Brazilian cherry, bridal bouquet plumeria, brown turkey fig, dwarf tiare, Lebronnecia, Thai chili pepper and violet tree.

Sponsored by Hawaiian Electric Co. on Oahu, the annual Arbor Day observance began April 10, 1872, in Nebraska, where pioneering folks missed the shelter and shade of their trees at home, as well as their use as fuel and building materials on the prairie.

An estimated 1 million trees were planted that day in Nebraska.

Other tree giveaway sites are at McKinley High School, HECO’s Ko’olau base yard in Kailua, Kahe Power Plant near Kapolei (92-200 Farrington Hwy.) and Pearl City Urban Garden Center (955 Kamehameha Hwy). The garden center also offers a plant sale.

For more information, visit arbordayhawaii.org.