File photo: Sidney tree giveaway

Event moved to Legion Park Shelter House

SIDNEY -- The Sidney Tree Board will celebrate Arbor Day with its annual tree give-away Saturday, April 20 at the Legion Park Shelter House. This year marks the 38th year Sidney has been recognized as a Tree City USA community by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The celebration and tree give-away have become a major part of the Sidney Tree Board’s community work as it strives to maintain a healthy tree canopy in the City of Sidney.

In preparation for the give-away, board members evaluate what they feel are trees that will not only work well in Sidney, but also provide diversity within the tree canopy.

“Once again, we are offering a variety of trees to be given away that will benefit any yard. We will have small ornamental trees and large shade trees this year,” says Tom Von Seggern, Tree Board chairman. “The trees offered will help diversify Sidney’s tree canopy.”

The board is offering nine species of deciduous trees Sidney residents. Tree species include: Hedge Maple, Prairie Gold Aspen, Redmond Linden, State Street Maple, American Hornbeam, Prairie Expedition Elm, Canada Red Chokecherry, Hackberry, and Heritage Oak.

Doors open at 7 a.m. and residents from within the city of Sidney can browse trees and decide which would be best in their yard. They will then sign in and can designate their tree preference.

The Arbor Day celebration begins at 8 a.m., followed by a presentation from Chrissy Land from the Nebraska Forest Service. As part of her program, Land will show participants how to properly prepare and plant their tree. Afterward, those attending will receive their trees. About 80 trees are slated to be given away.