Proclaimed in December 1890, Georgia’s Arbor Day encourages people to plant trees in order to help clean the air and water, provide beauty to neighborhoods and give wildlife new homes.

  On Friday, February 15 at 8:30 a.m. The Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District is partnering with the Henry County Master Gardeners to hold the District’s Annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway. They will be giving away trees at the following four locations until they are all gone.

  The Aubrey Harvey Agriculture Building, 333 Phillips Dr., McDonough, Heritage Park, 97 Lake Dow Rd., McDonough, The Locust Grove Municipal Building, 3644 Hwy 42 S., Locust Grove, Stockbridge City Hall, 4640 N. Henry Blvd, Stockbridge.

  The three tree species they will be giving away are: Catalpa, Redbud and River Burch.

  These seedling trees should be planted as soon as possible in well-drained soil in full sunlight. Keep seedlings moist and cool until planted. Planting holes should be 8-12 inches in diameter and should be at least 8-12 inches deep.  Pull loose soil back over the roots, filling the hole half way. Tamp down soil lightly,  then backfill the rest of the area around the hole and water.  Do not compact the soil by tamping down the wet soil.  Water each seedling with one to two gallons at planting time and check soil moisture periodically to be sure it has not dried out.  Fertilizer use on new seedlings is not recommended and neither is placing  manure or nitrogen based fertilizer in the planting hole. Wood chips, pine straw, pine bark, cypress bark, composted sawdust, gravel and composted leaves will protect your tree from the outside elements when applied 3-5 inches deep around the tree, but not touching the seedling.