Communities across Baldwin County are preparing to dig in for Arbor Day, with cities and towns lining up tree giveaways and educational events that promise to add fresh shade to neighborhoods and a little more green to the landscape.

From Fairhope to Elberta, Bay Minette to Gulf Shores, and everywhere in-between, February celebrations will give residents the chance to bring home new saplings and learn how to help them thrive. While the national Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April, Baldwin County joins many states and municipalities in marking the occasion earlier to match prime planting season, when cooler temperatures and steady rainfall give young trees their best shot at success.

This year's events will feature a diverse mix of native and ornamental species, along with hands-on activities and expert advice designed to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the role trees play in daily life.

PLANTING A TRADITION

Did you know Arbor Day has roots in journalism? That's right. Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1872, when J. Sterling Morton, a newspaper editor and conservation advocate, proposed a day dedicated to tree planting after looking out at the stark landscape of the Nebraska Territory. On April 10 of that year, more than 1 million trees were planted statewide. The idea quickly gained momentum, spreading across the country and earning official recognition in Nebraska in 1885. By 1920, more than 45 states and territories had adopted the tradition, with schoolchildren often receiving saplings to plant at home.

Today, Arbor Day is celebrated nationwide, with communities tailoring events to local growing conditions to ensure trees get the strongest possible start.

LET'S DIG IN: WHERE TO CELEBRATE ARBOR DAY

Bay Minette

Bay Minette will celebrate Alabama Arbor Day with a free tree giveaway beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at City Hall, 301 D'Olive St. Distribution will continue while supplies last.

Residents may receive up to three trees per household on a first-come, first-served basis. Available species include summer red maple, assorted magnolias, green giant arborvitae, live oak, hickory, Eagleston holly, Nuttall oak and crepe myrtle.

City officials encourage residents to arrive early due to limited quantities.

Elberta

Elberta will host its Arbor Day celebration from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Elberta Town Park.
Families may receive free tree seedlings while supplies last. The event is designed to encourage residents to plant trees at home and contribute to the community's green spaces.

Fairhope

Fairhope's Annual Arbor Day Celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Coastal Alabama Community College.

The Arbor Day Awards Ceremony will be held under the Live Oak on Bancroft Street near the John Borom Science Building. During the ceremony, poster contest winners from J. Larry Newton School, Fairhope West Elementary and Fairhope East Elementary will be recognized along with the 2026 Beautification Award recipients. The Beautification Awards honor individuals and businesses for exceptional building design, renovations and environmental stewardship efforts.

The city's tree seedling giveaway will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. and continue until noon. Volunteers with the Baldwin County Master Gardeners and the Dogwood Trail Maids will assist with distribution. Seedlings available this year include red maple, red buckeye, yellow poplar, Ashe magnolia, sweet bay magnolia, black gum, shortleaf pine, longleaf pine, loblolly pine, sycamore, sawtooth oak, swamp white oak, willow oak and post oak.

Foley

Foley will observe its 45th Arbor Day at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market, 781 Farmers Market Way.

The city will distribute 720 trees in three-gallon containers with residents limited to one tree each. Available varieties include summer red maple, green giant arborvitae, live oak, crape myrtle, Nuttall oak and several magnolia species.

As part of the ceremony, Foley will dedicate memorial trees honoring City Councilman Richard "Dick" Dayton and Foley Marketing Director LaDonna Hinesley, who both died in 2025.

Riviera Utilities is co-hosting the event. Representatives from the Alabama Forestry Commission, Baldwin County Master Gardeners and certified arborists will offer horticultural guidance. Boy Scout Troop 77 will assist with tree distribution. Winning entries from the Arbor Day Poster Contest will be displayed, and the Foley High School Air Force Junior ROTC will present the colors.

Foley has earned Tree City USA recognition for its ongoing commitment to tree planting and care, efforts that help reduce erosion, lower energy costs, improve air quality and enhance neighborhood beauty.

Daphne

Daphne will host the Keep Daphne Beautiful Recycling Event and Arbor Day Tree Giveaway from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Daphne Civic Center Complex, 2603 U.S. Highway 98.

The free drive-thru event is open to City of Daphne residents, with staff onsite to unload vehicles. Participants are asked to separate materials by category. Items accepted include old tires, excluding tractor tires, with a maximum size of LT275/65R20; thrift store donations such as gently worn clothing, shoes, toys and household items; used books and magazines in good condition; used motor oil up to 5 gallons; brake and transmission fluids; up to three car batteries per household; documents and discs for shredding; and old or expired prescription medications.

Items not accepted include ammunition, fireworks, explosives, radioactive waste, syringes, paint, unknown compressed gas cylinders, infectious or biological waste and mercury or thermometers.
The Arbor Day tree giveaway will feature key lime, Meyer lemon, satsuma, live oak, summer red maple, Jane magnolia and Hamlin orange. Trees are limited to one per City of Daphne address with proof of residency.

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores will commemorate 39 years as a Tree City with its 39th Annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Gulf Coast Eco Center, 1650 Eco Trl.

Residents living within the city's corporate limits may select three different trees per household from five varieties: live oak, willow oak, Nuttall oak, Shumard oak and overcup oak. Proof of residency is required. A limited number of fruit trees will also be available.

Each tree will be provided in a ready-to-plant three-gallon container along with detailed care instructions. City Arborist Chuck Owens and members of the Gulf Shores Landscape Division will be available to answer questions and provide planting tips. Attendees may also tour the new Eco Center campus and learn more about local conservation programs.

For details, call the Natural Resources Department at (251) 968-9825 or the Gulf Coast Eco Center at (251) 210-8721.

Loxley

Loxley's Arbor Day tree giveaway will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 27, at the Loxley Transit Hub on Municipal Park Drive.

Households may receive up to five trees while supplies last. Species available include Ashe magnolia, black gum, sycamore, sawtooth oak, white oak, shingle oak, willow oak and northern red oak.

Magnolia Springs

Magnolia Springs will hold its Arbor Day event from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Magnolia Springs Volunteer Fire Department, 14809 Gates Ave.

Free potted trees will be available while supplies last with a limit of one per person. Varieties include butterfly bush, bottlebrush, viburnum, camellia and summer red maple.

Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer planting questions, and children's garden activities are planned. Holy Fizz will be onsite offering coffee and specialty drinks for purchase.

Orange Beach

Orange Beach will observe Arbor Day with its annual tree giveaway from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, in front of the Community Development building at 4101 Orange Beach Blvd.

Residents may receive potted trees including live oak, magnolia, hickory, red maple, leyland cypress and select citrus varieties. Activities for children, including tree-themed crafts, are also planned.

The Orange Beach Garden Club has adopted the theme "Honoring America's Roots" in recognition of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Volunteers are welcome to assist with the event. Those interested may contact Woody Speed, Orange Beach coastal regulatory manager, at (251) 981-1062.

Silverhill

Silverhill will host an Arbor Day celebration from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 28, at 16111 South Ave.
Trees available while supplies last include Nellie Stevens holly, Little Gem magnolia, Rose of Autumn camellia, Dream Weaver camellia and Tuscarora crape myrtle.

Robertsdale

Robertsdale will celebrate Arbor Day with a community tree giveaway at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Honeybee Park.

Residents may choose from a variety of species while supplies last, including live oak, summer red maple, Claudia Wannamaker magnolia, Little Gem magnolia, D.D. Blanchard magnolia, Center Stage crape myrtle, lacebark elm, leyland cypress, Nellie R. Stevens holly and bald cypress.