FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2019
Contact:
John Scott or Melissa Evans
Urban Foresters
Parks and Recreation
479.444.3470 or 479.444.3486
urbanforestry@fayetteville-ar.gov
City Has Native Trees for Giveaway and Hosting a Clarence Craft Park Clean-up
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Residents who participated in the Bradford Pear Bounty program are encouraged to pick up their trees this week. One hundred native trees will be available for residents who earned their “bounty” by cutting down one of the invasive Bradford pear trees on their property in exchange for a native tree. Species available include flowering dogwood, redbud (white), bald cypress, nutall oak, willow oak, short leaf pine, and tulip poplar. Trees will be given away on a first-come first-served basis. Limit is one tree per household while supplies last.
Urban Forestry staff recently received some smaller trees that are available for residents of the Illinois River Watershed who did not participate in the Bradford Pear Bounty. These trees include pecan, sycamore, river birch, shumard oak, persimmon and fragrant sumac These are also free and available on a first-come first-served basis.
Giveaway date and locations:
- April 25 and 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Parks and Recreation Department Office, located at 1455 S. Happy Hollow Road
- April 27 from 9 am to noon at Clarence Craft Park, located at 1650 N. Jordan Lane
The Urban Forestry Advisory Board of the City of Fayetteville is also hosting an invasive plant removal and clean-up at Clarence Craft Park on Saturday, April 27 from 9 am to noon. The team could use help from anyone who wants to participate. Volunteers should wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts, and appropriate closed-toe shoes (no sandals/flip flops). Gloves and tools will be available, however feel free to bring your own gloves or limb loppers.
Urban Forestry staff stress “Right Tree, Right Place.” Trees can take many years to reach their mature height and spread. It is important for homeowners to take all surroundings into consideration when choosing the location for their new tree. To avoid heavy pruning or removal, consider the mature height of the tree and proximity near overhead power lines. Residents should always contact Arkansas One Call at 811 or 800-482-8998 before digging. Fayetteville citizens and businesses are encouraged to learn about invasive species when choosing plants and to remove and replace invasive species on their own properties by downloading Invasive Plant Species in Fayetteville Arkansas.
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