Free canopy trees to be given away at The Bay

In recognition of Earth Month, the Sarasota city government will hold a canopy tree giveaway from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 25, and 26, at The Bay park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts.

The giveaway, part of Good to Be Green at The Bay, will allow city residents to select one of 100 trees provided by the city, while supplies last. The 18 species of juvenile trees include:

• Jamaican Caper
• Simpson’s Stopper
• Walter’s Viburnum
• Bracken’s Magnolia
• Spanish Stopper
• Orange Geiger
• Gumbo Limbo
• Loblolly Bay
• Chickasaw Plum
• Bald Cypress
• Longleaf Pine
• Marlberry
• Clusia
• Mango
• Royal Palm
• Live Oak
• Silver Buttonwood
• Green Buttonwood

Trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to city residents with proof of residency. City arborists will be available to provide guidance on how to choose the right tree, the right place and how to care for the tree.

Trees for this event came via the city’s Tree Mitigation Fund, which collects a portion of tree removal permit dollars to be used for urban canopy programs.

The Bay is also hosting its Learn from an Arborist event from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, at The Nest. A city arborist will be in attendance to discuss trees, landscaping, and more as part of Arbor Day at The Bay.