With spring about to bloom and Alabamians plunging back into garden projects, Alabama Power arborists have been lending their expertise to support Arbor Day activities across the state.

Although National Arbor Day is still more than a month away, Alabama communities typically celebrate the holiday during the last days of February and first days of March because of the earlier tree-planting season in the South.

Alabama Power tree experts participate in the city of Hoover’s Arbor Day Celebration at Hoover Randle Home and Gardens. (contributed)

Alabama Power tree experts participate in the city of Hoover’s Arbor Day Celebration at Hoover Randle Home and Gardens. (contributed)

The city of Hoover’s annual Arbor Day Celebration is a source of trees and information for the public. (contributed)

Children pose with their new tree at Hoover’s Arbor Day Celebration. (contributed)

Alabama Power tree experts help the city of Hoover supply trees and information at Hoover Randle Home and Gardens. (contributed)

Alabama Power’s tree professionals participated in Arbor Day events in several communities, handing out trees and providing tree-planting advice. The company’s experts also provided information about the right trees and shrubs to plant around power lines.

“We are grateful for the opportunity for Alabama Power arborists to take part in these events and to help spread the word about the importance of trees and how to care for them,” said Wray Anderson, who oversees vegetation management operations for the company’s Power Delivery organization. “It’s really rewarding for our arborists to engage with the public, encourage tree-planting and help foster the growth and protection of Alabama’s amazing forests and diversity of trees.”

Alabama forests cover more than 23 million acres, about 70% of the state’s land mass. Alabama Power is one of the largest land managers in the state, and its tree experts and environmental specialists work with multiple partners to help support the health of forests and trees, including the state’s important longleaf pine ecosystems. The Alabama Power Foundation also supports tree-planting in communities and public spaces through its Good Roots grant program.

Anniston’s annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at Zinn Park provides trees and tree-planting advice. (contributed)

Anniston’s annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at Zinn Park provides trees and tree-planting advice. (contributed)

Tuscaloosa-area residents line up for trees and planting information at Tuscaloosa River Walk. About 350 trees were given away. (contributed)

About 350 trees of varied species were given away at Tuscaloosa’s recent Arbor Day event at Tuscaloosa River Walk. (contributed)

Tuscaloosa-area residents check out some of the tree options at Tuscaloosa River Walk during a recent Arbor Day event. About 350 trees were given away. (contributed)

Tuscaloosa-area residents line up for trees and planting information at Tuscaloosa River Walk. About 350 trees were given away. (contributed)

Tuscaloosa-area residents line up for trees and planting information at Tuscaloosa River Walk. About 350 trees were given away. (contributed)

Here are highlights from a few of the recent Arbor Day events supported by Alabama Power and its tree experts:

• Anniston – On Feb. 17, Alabama Power tree experts supported the city’s annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at Zinn Park, providing trees and tree-planting advice. Alabama Power and its contractor partners distributed about 500 saplings to attendees. More trees were provided to support other Arbor Day events in the area. The company’s and its contractor experts also provided information about the company’s vegetation management program and rules governing utility rights of way.
• Hoover – On March 5, Alabama Power tree experts joined with the city of Hoover and other partners for its annual Arbor Day Celebration at Hoover Randle Home and Gardens. In addition to giving out trees, company representatives provided copies of the company’s Right Tree, Right Place. Winners of the annual fourth-grade Arbor Day Essay Contest also were announced. This year’s essay topic focused on the diverse trees of the world, a tie-in to The World Games 2022, coming to Birmingham in July. Tree giveaways also took place this year in Hoover at Aldridge Gardens and Greystone Farms.
• Tuscaloosa – On Feb. 26, Alabama Power partnered with the city of Tuscaloosa for its Arbor Day event at Tuscaloosa River Market. About 350 trees of varied species were given away to local residents, and company experts were on hand to provide tree-planting guidance.

Other Arbor Day activities supported by Alabama Power in recent weeks included events in Autaugaville, Jacksonville, Montgomery, Prattville and Trussville.

This year marks the 150^th anniversary of Arbor Day, which was created to build awareness about the value of trees through tree-planting. The first event took place in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. An estimated 1 million trees were planted across the state that day.

Learn more about Alabama Power’s environmental stewardship efforts here. To learn more about the company’s vegetation management program, click here. For details about the Alabama Power Foundation’s Good Roots grant program, click here.