In a bid to honor its leafy citizens, the City of Atlantic Beach is gearing up to celebrate Arbor Day with a flourish of environmental enthusiasm. Slated for January, the urban greenery fiesta will see the city dole out trees to locals, all while touting its deep-rooted heritage tree program. The Arbor Day event is part of a broader effort to ensure Atlantic Beach keeps its leafy crown as a Tree City USA community, an accolade that commends cities for their dedication to public tree stewardship. A signature tree giveaway is on the agenda, taking place in the City Hall parking lot during the Atlantic Beach Farmer’s Market on Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon, as reported by the City of Atlantic Beach official announcement.
Funding for the tree giveaway comes, ironically, from the pockets of those who've axed trees in the past — property owners and builders responsible for the removal of the city's arboreal residents have contributed to the tree fund. A total of fifty-three ready-to-plant live oaks, red cedars, and magnolias will be on offer in a no-contact, drive-thru-style event where volunteers and staff will happily load trees into attendees' vehicles. Residents eager to greenify their grounds can apply for a free tree at the city's website.
Beyond the giveaway, the annual Arbor Day ceremony will invite public participation on Jan. 17 at the Atlantic Beach Police Department flagpole. Kicking off at 9 a.m., the event underscores the city’s commitment to greener horizons. Top of the agenda at an upcoming City Commission meeting on Jan. 13 is the endorsement of a 68-inch-diameter premier oak, aptly dubbed "The Twin Trees," for the heritage tree designation — an honor that spotlights Atlantic Beach’s venerable veterans of the green scene.
Per the City of Atlantic Beach's tree-protection ordinance, heritage trees are recognized for their "unique or intrinsic value due to its age, size, species, and/or cultural, ecological or historical significance or some other contribution to the city’s character", including all cypress, live oak, and magnolia trees with diameter 30 inches or greater. The "Twin Trees," now in the limelight, are poised to join the esteemed rank of heritage trees.
