Chapel Hill Arbor Day Celebration

We'll celebrate Arbor Day this year on Friday, November 15 at 11am at Estes Hill Elementary School.

Second-grade students from Estes Hill Elementary School have been invited to join Mayor Jess Anderson to commemorate the occasion.

At the event, the N.C. Forest Service will discuss the history of Arbor Day and present the Tree City U.S.A. award to the town. The event will include a tree planting ceremony in the plaza and small learning garden just in front of the main entrance of the school. 

The Tree Planting will serve to enhance the school grounds and plaza as well as extend the beautification and connectivity along the Estes Drive. 

Also, 20 trees will be planted in town-owned facilities and right of ways throughout town.  

Arbor Day is traditionally observed in spring, however, in 2000, the Chapel Hill Town Council declared the first Friday after Nov. 15 to be Arbor Day in Chapel Hill.

Each year, on that day, the Town plants one or more trees at a Town-owned facility such as a park or greenway.

Funding for the tree installation was provided by the Friends of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation. To contribute to future tree planting efforts, visit friendsofchapelhillparks.org. 

Other Arbor Week Activities at Chapel Hill Library

Leave Your Leaves - Arbor Day Program with Barbara Driscoll

Join us to discover the importance of leaves for birds, insects, and other wildlife. You’ll learn how leaves are important for soil health and water conservation. They act as natural mulch, stop weeds, and improve the soil as they break down. Leaving leaves in place creates essential habitats for salamanders, toads, and turtles, while also providing food, shelter, and nesting material for birds and mammals. Plus, many moth and butterfly caterpillars spend the winter in fallen leaves before emerging in the spring.

Thursday, Nov. 7, 6:00-7:30 pm - CHPL Meeting Room B

Learn more and register here.

Tree-Planting Volunteer Workday at Pritchard Park

Saturday, November 16 from 9:30am-12pm  

In honor of Arbor Day we’ll plant a White oak (Quercus alba) to create more shade in the upper library parking lot as well as provide critical habitat for native birds, insects, and mammals. After planting the oak tree we'll shift our focus to removing invasive plant species from Pritchard Park. Wear suitable attire for working outdoors across uneven terrain. Gloves and tools will be provided.

In the park and beyond 

Looking for a great place to soak up the splendor of trees? From Sweetgum to Sycamore, you can find them in Pritchard Park.

Take a walk on 34 acres of trails. Want to learn more about the trees you’ll encounter there? You can download a tree identification guide for Pritchard Park, here.  

Explore the town and take a StoryWalk in November.

We’ll feature three tree-centric stories: 

• The Story Walk at Pritchard Park will be Everyone Starts Small.

• Umstead Park will be Weeds Find A Way.

• Homestead will be Too Tall Houses.

History of Arbor Day

Arbor Day was started nationwide in April, 1872, in Nebraska. Since then, each state has chosen when they wish to recognize Arbor Day and celebrations across the United States take place year-round. In North Carolina, celebrations occur on the first Friday after March 15, but here in Chapel Hill we choose to do things a bit differently.

The Town of Chapel Hill has been named a Tree City Award winner because it meets four main standards set by the National Arbor Day Foundation. These rules include keeping a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per person on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day.

In Chapel Hill, planting trees during the fall gives them an extra growing season before the warm weather stress of summer. The combination of cooler temperatures and rain in the fall allows trees to establish their roots making it easier on them to adjust to extreme heat or drought in the summer.