Cooperative Extension Service celebrates Arbor Day with statewide events, free tree giveaway
April 16, 2026
By Rebekah Hall
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- National Arbor Day April 24
- Events in Baxter, Jefferson, Sebastian, Sevier counties celebrate importance of trees
- Trees provide physical, economic benefits to individuals and communities
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LITTLE ROCK — Cooperative Extension Service offices in four counties will celebrate the importance of trees through several Arbor Day events in April and May, including a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Free Tree Fridays campaign.
Krista Quinn, Faulkner County Extension horticulture agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said living and working near trees provides benefits to physical and mental health.
“Trees remove pollutants from air and water that can harm our health, and they provide shade, which reduces our sun exposure,” Quinn said. “Studies even show that people have lower blood pressure and reduced stress hormones when they spend time near trees.”
Quinn said trees also provide economic benefits to individuals and communities.
“Having mature trees on a property can increase property values and reduce energy use in buildings during the summer,” she said. “Communities can also use trees to help manage stormwater and reduce the risk of flooding. On a larger scale, trees provide food and habitat for wildlife and sequester carbon, which can reduce the effects of global climate change.”
Baxter County Free Tree Fridays Pick-Up
On Friday, April 24, Baxter County Extension will partner with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture as a distribution site for the bare root seedlings offered by the department’s Free Tree Fridays campaign, a program of the Forestry Division.
Up to five seedlings are available per person. Species available in 2026 are pecan, sycamore, overcup oak and Shumard oak, varying by pick-up location. The pick-up will be held at the Baxter County Extension Office at 3 E. 9th Street in Mountain Home from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Our partnership with the Arkansas Forestry Division’s Free Tree Fridays program combines local outreach with specialized environmental expertise,” said Amanda Rychtarik, Baxter County Extension staff chair. “We have strong community relationships and understand local needs, while the Forestry Division brings technical knowledge about trees, such as species and conservation practices. Together, we can ensure that residents not only receive trees, but also the guidance needed to plant and care for them.”
Quinn said that when planting a bare-root seedling, it’s important to keep roots moist and plant it as soon as possible.
“Once you get it home, soak the roots of the tree in water for three to six hours, then dig a hole just big enough to accommodate the whole root system,” Quinn said. “Place the roots of the tree in the hole, making sure not to bend the main root.
“Make sure that only the roots are positioned below ground, since planting too deep can kill trees,” she said. “Refill the hole with the same soil that was removed and water generously to settle the soil around the roots.”
Quinn said one should not use potting soil or fertilizer with the seedling.
“A light layer of mulch can be placed around the trunk of the tree, but don’t let the mulch touch the trunk,” she said. “You will need to water the tree regularly for the first two years after planting.”
Jefferson County Arbor Day events
Kevin Harris, Jefferson County Extension staff chair, highlighted three tree planting events in the county that are open to the public.
- Monday, April 20: Arbor Day Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1200 N University Dr. The event will take place near the W.E. O’Bryant Bell Tower from 10-11 a.m., where a pin oak tree will be planted.
- Tuesday, April 21: Arbor Day Celebration at Southeast Arkansas College, 1900 Hazel Street. The event will take place at the campus Welcome Center at 10 a.m., where a willow oak tree will be planted.
- Thursday, April 23: Arbor Day Celebration at Altheimer Library in Altheimer, Arkansas, at 222 S Edline. The event will take place at 5 p.m., and a little gem magnolia tree will be planted at the library.
“We have been grateful to work with these organizations to plan these events, where we can come together and celebrate the important role that trees play in our community,” Harris said. “By planting these trees, we hope to benefit Jefferson County for years to come.”
Sebastian County Leaf ID Day and ‘Pints and Plants’ workshop
Sebastian County 4-H will offer a Leaf ID Day event at the Nature Center in Fort Smith on Tuesday, April 21. The event is open to 4-H members as well as non-members and homeschool groups of all ages. Non-members can RSVP by emailing Megan Adkins, Sebastian County Extension 4-H agent, at madkins@uada.edu. 4-H members can register for the event through the Arkansas 4-H enrollment system ZSuite.
Adkins said attendees will go on a nature walk, where Zeb Gattis, Sebastian County horticulture agent, will lead youth through tree and leaf identification, including leaf arrangement type, leaf formation and leaf venation.
“Throughout our walk, we’ll also have the chance to see how bugs and animals interact in the environment and trees, along with covering topics such as soil, water and health concerns for the trees,” Adkins said.
Extension staff will also encourage youth to utilize “My Leaf Identification” books created by the Arkansas Ag in the Classroom program, produced by Arkansas Farm Bureau.
“We’re very excited to incorporate their material, because Farm Bureau is such a wonderful partner of 4-H in Sebastian County,” Adkins said.
Adkins said the Leaf ID Day is part of a continued effort in Sebastian County to “teach our youth about our local environment and how birds, bugs and trees work together.”
On Saturday, April 25, Gattis will lead the April session of his “Pints and Plants” workshop series at 12:30 p.m. at Fort Smith Brewing Company, 7500 Ft. Chaffee Blvd.
The free class will focus on homeowner tree care for landscape, fruit and bonsai trees, including planting, pruning and spraying methods.
Sevier County Arbor Day in the Park
4-H members in Sevier County will help lead Arbor Day in the Park on May 12, an annual event for county fifth-graders. The event will run from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Kim Frachiseur, Sevier County Extension 4-H agent, said she expects 250-300 fifth graders will rotate through 12 educational stations at Herman Dierks Park in De Queen. The stations will focus on trees, including stations on tree health and tree planting, but will also include activity stations such as a petting zoo and disc golf.
“The goal of this event is to give youth a strong start in learning about forestry, but in a fun, hands-on way,” Frachiseur said. “We want them to enjoy it while also beginning to understand just how important forestry is to our county. Being a rural community, a lot of our families and local businesses are connected to the forestry industry.
“When kids learn about the industry, they start to see the value of natural resources, how we take care of them, and the different career opportunities available right here at home,” she said.
Teen Leaders with Sevier County 4-H will lead two stations by themselves and help with several others, Frachiseur said.
“For our 4-H’ers, this event is a chance to step up as leaders,” Frachiseur said. “They get to mentor younger kids, help with activities and serve as role models. Through that, they build confidence, responsibility and communication skills, all while making a positive impact on others.”
Central Arkansas Tree Planting Project
Through a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, John Pennington, extension water quality educator for the Division of Agriculture, has secured funding to plant more than 166,000 native trees Faulkner, Grant, Lonoke, Perry, Pulaski and Saline counties over the next three and a half years.
In 2026, the Central Arkansas Tree Planting Project is offering 25 native tree species, free of charge, to anyone who wants them within the designated counties. The trees are bare root trees, and potted trees will be available later.
Individuals or organizations wishing to place orders for 50 or fewer trees can use the project’s online order form. Those who wish to order large numbers of trees should contact extension program staff at TreePlantingProject@uada.edu.
For more information about the program, contact Pennington at jhpennington@uada.edu.
Celebrate trees in your community
In addition to attending an Arbor Day event in your community, Quinn said there are many ways to celebrate trees and the benefits they provide.
“Just take a moment to appreciate the trees in your community or parks,” Quinn said. “You can go for a walk or a hike or have a picnic under a tree. If you have children, you can have them participate in a tree-related scavenger hunt or craft.”
Volunteering for a litter clean-up or an invasive plant removal project can also help improve the natural beauty of your community.
“Some communities also have opportunities to help care for or plant trees in local parks or along streets and trails,” Quinn said. “Another great way to help trees is to become an advocate for trees in your community by encouraging your local leaders to value trees and manage them appropriately.”
Visit the Planting Trees in Arkansas page on the Cooperative Extension Service website for more information and resources about caring for trees in your community.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Rebekah Hall
rkhall@uada.edu
501-671-2061