Tree Week 2023

As our urban areas grow more and more, it is important to not forget the importance of trees in our communities. Trees not only provide beauty, but they also reduce storm-water runoff, cool cities, filter air and water pollutants, store carbon dioxide and help improve mental health and well being. 

To help educate the public about the importance of trees, the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry began the first annual Tree Week in 2018.

“Tree Week is aimed at connecting people of all walks of life to the nature where we live, helping us all to be more connected to the value of trees and greenspaces in our lives,” said Mary Arthur, UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment professor emeritus. 

Cities from across the state planned programs during the second week of October to celebrate trees in their communities. 

“Tree Week branches together people, the community and the environment,” said Heather Wilson, program manager senior in Lexington’s Division of Environmental Services. “Trees are important in so many ways and help establish a sense of place for our community.”  

UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension hosted a Tree Week Webinar Series. The group partnered with several Extension Agents on seven programs held during the week. Over 165 signed up to watch the webinars offered. One program was offered by the Madison County Horticulture Agent. She shared tips on tree care in her talk called “How Not to Kill a Tree.” In it, she shared several common mistakes people made when selecting, planting, and maintaining trees. Fifty people viewed her webinar.