Sidney Tree Board Set to Give Away Trees April 23

The Sidney Tree Board will celebrate Arbor Day with its annual tree give-away Saturday, April 23 at the Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp.

This year marks the 36th year Sidney has been recognized as a Tree City USA community by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The celebration and tree give-away have become a major part of the Sidney Tree Board’s community work as it strives to maintain a healthy tree canopy in the City of Sidney. In preparation for the give-away, board members evaluate what they feel are trees that will not only work well in Sidney, but also provide diversity within the tree canopy.

This year the board is offering nine different species of trees to Sidney residents. All the trees will be deciduous species this year and include Prairie Dream Birch, Kentucky Coffeetree, Profusion Crabapple, Cardinal Royal Mountain Ash, Prairie Expedition Elm, Bur Oak, Merlot Bird Cherry, Rugged Charm Maple, and Quaking Aspen.

Gates open at 7 a.m. and residents from within the city of Sidney can browse trees and decide which would be best in their yard. They will then sign in, and can designate their tree preference.

The Arbor Day celebration begins at 8 a.m., followed by speaker Chrissy Land from the Nebraska Forest Service. As part of her program, Land will provide information about the different types of trees and good placement for them, then show participants how to properly prepare and plant their tree. Afterward, those attending will receive their trees. Approximately 90 trees are slated to be given away.

The Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp board, which is serving as the day’s hosts, will be hosting an open house and providing coffee and donuts. Local Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts will be on hand to assist participants.