More than 1,000 trees given away

Volunteers handed out more than 1,000 trees in Crestview last week in celebration of Florida's Arbor Day.

Foresters with the Florida Forest Service gave away river birch, dogwood and Flatwoods plum trees and were assisted by volunteers from the Okaloosa County Master Gardeners.

Okaloosa County Extension Director Larry Williams and USDA District Conservationist Darryl Williams also helped, with the volunteers forming an assembly line to separate the young trees and provide free bundles to the 95 people lined up in the parking lot of Tractor Supply in Crestview.

"This is a great turnout," said Forester Maria Wilson as she placed the trees in a bag. "I just hope that all these people enjoy the life of these trees. This is a good turnout for today."

Crestview residents Mike and Cassandra Noble, who recently bought a home on Airport Road, were among those who showed up for the giveaway.

"I understand that we got the last dogwood tree," Mike Noble said. "We got two of each and we're very pleased."

"We found out about the free trees from our friend, who is a Master Gardener here," Cassandra Noble said. "We are members of the Arbor Day Society and we've had their free trees delivered in the mail. We are going home to add these to our yard."

The Nobles have two daughters and want to instill the importance of tree conservation to them.

"Mike is going to plant the trees with the girls," Cassandra Noble said. "We think it is important for them to learn to put something positive onto the world, and what better way than with a tree in a new home that they can watch grow?"

Larry Williams gave a brief how-to-plant-a-tree demonstration in a portable blue plastic baby pool and explained the need to plant trees in this Plant Hardiness Zone during the winter months.

"Florida Arbor Day is always the third Friday in January and although all 50 states recognize the day, the dates differ and the National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April," Larry Williams said. "That is not the ideal tree planting time in this part of the state."

He said it is important that people recognize the importance of trees.

"Children see them as shade on a hot day, something to climb, or to build a fort in and those roles are important, but just as important are the ecological factors and the products we get from trees," Larry Williams said.