ORANGE BEACH, AL — Orange Beach was recognized by the non profit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the eighteenth year Orange Beach has earned this national designation.

To celebrate this honor and in observance of Arbor Day, the city will once again host its annual tree giveaway. They will be giving saplings away in front of Community Development on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 9-11 a.m. Larry Ellis, Forester for the City of Orange Beach, says that more than 1,000 trees will be given away with some of the varieties to include Oak, Persimmon, River Burch, Cedar Elm, Red Maple and Wild Pear.

Orange Beach has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: it has a tree department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Communities that earn Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet the four standards, they know that trees:

 promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles

 moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife

 reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings

 increase property values and reduce energy use and add beauty to our homes and neighborhoods

For more information about Tree City USA, visit www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

For more information about the City of Orange Beach tree giveaway, contact Larry Ellis at 251-981-1062 or lellis@cityoforangebeach.com.