Richmond Arbor Day 2009

Learn From the Tree Pros at Celebrate Trees!

Four certified arborists will lead free workshops at Celebrate Trees! an Arbor Day event on Saturday, April 4, at the Carillon in Richmond's Byrd Park.

"We want to help homeowners and other people interested in trees make the best decisions they can," said Michael Mather, Richmond Urban Forestry arborist who will lead the workshops on tree identification.

"The only requirement is to dress for the weather if your choice of workshops will be outside," said Suzette Lyon, president of the Richmond Tree Steward Advisory Panel.

Adults won't be the only family members learning about trees and the environment at Celebrate Trees! which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children can participate in Radio Disney's "tree trivia game show" led by Ranger Spruce Sassafras and enjoy other hands-on educational activities. The Ranger Spruce Sassafras shows will start at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

And most everyone can try tree climbing, courtesy of Riverside Outfitters, weather permitting.

Here are the free classes and the presenters:

Tree Pruning
Andy Mason of Arborscapes, LLC, 10 a.m. session inside Carillon; 11 a.m. session outdoors.

What's Wrong With My Tree
Mark Bennett of Davey Tree Expert Co., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., both sessions outdoors.

Right Tree, Right Place
David Terwilliger, Hanover County forester, Virginia Department of Forestry, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., both sessions inside Carillon.

Tree Identification
Michael Mather, Urban Forestry Division, Richmond Department of Public Works, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., both sessions outdoors.

Tree Planting
Norman C. Brown, Urban Forestry Division, Richmond Department of Public Works, approximately 12:30 p.m., outdoors.

Other activities will include a keynote address by Dr. Jeff Kirwan, co-author of the popular book "Remarkable Trees of Virginia"; tree planting; presentation of a Tree City USA flag to Richmond leaders; and a concert on the Carillon bells. Bare-root trees will be given away while they last.

The sponsors of Celebrate Trees! are Richmond Tree Stewards, Richmond Department of Public Works Urban Forestry Division, and Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

Additional sponsors include Dominion, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Virginia Department of Forestry and Trees Virginia.