Tree Week is the brainchild of UK’s Urban Forest Initiative and has been in Lexington and a few other satellite locations for 5 years.  Not only is the week about planting trees and overall learning more about trees, but it’s also an impetus to get people outside in nature. 

Pulaski County participated in 2021 but in a very limited way. The Pulaski County Horticulture Agent organized a committee in June 2022 to plan and organize events for Tree Week 2022 (October 8-16).

Master Gardeners, city employees, and interested citizens served on the committee. Over $1200 was raised by Extension Master Gardeners from 8 sponsors to support the Tree Week events.  

Fifteen scheduled events were planned over the 9-day period. Participants were encouraged to go on self-guided, on-your-own walks/hikes and take part in the week-long Tree Week scavenger hunt. Local libraries incorporated trees into their weekly children’s and adult programs. A yoga instructor donated a yoga session outdoors and a painting teacher volunteered her skills.

Ninety-eight people participated in all the scheduled programs. About one-third were youth. One participant volunteered this quote: “Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say that we had the BEST week ever at Tree Week. So grateful for all the hard work that everyone put in.” Another participant said that he couldn’t believe he hadn’t known about the Black Walnut Trail, that it was a jewel for Pulaski County.