Pasco County To Give Away Free Tree Seedlings

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Pasco County invites residents to start the New Year with a new addition to their yards.

The community will host an Arbor Day Celebration on Jan. 19 at Frances Avenue Park, 5580 Frances Ave. in New Port Richey starting at 11 a.m. As part of the celebration, free seedlings will be available while supplies last.

Seedling species available include:

· Pawpaw (Zebra swallowtail)

· Redbud Maple (Spicebush swallowtail)

· Sycamore

· Wild Black Cherry (Tiger swallowtail)

· Hoptree (Giant swallowtail)

· Sassafras (Spicebush swallowtail)

Free seedlings will also be available at the Tasty Tuesdays event on Jan, 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at the New Port Richey City Library on Main Street. Approximately 600 seedlings will be handed out during the Arbor Day week-long celebration.

“It is wonderful to see the community come together for the greater good,” said Keep Pasco Beautiful coordinator Kristen King. “Trees play a crucial role in sustaining a healthy environment.”

She noted that trees remove CO2 and pollutants, helping keep metropolitan areas cooler, preserve soil by decreasing storm water run-off and provide shade and shelter for many animals.

The seedling giveaway is made possible through a partnership with Pasco County, Keep Pasco Beautiful, the City of New Port Richey Environmental Committee, Covanta Pasco and the Rotary Club of New Port Richey.

Florida celebrates Arbor Day on the third Friday in January – a tradition that began in 1886.

For more information, visit the Keep Pasco Beautiful website.

Photo via Pixabay: photograph JJones