Free Trees At Waimea, Wahiawa Parks

Waimea Valley and Wahiawa Botanical Garden will join other tree-giveaway sites Nov. 2 in Oahu’s annual celebration of trees.

Hawaiian Electric Co. and its partners have 2,700 trees and shrubs for the public that day in the island’s 20th annual observance of the national holiday. The first Arbor Day – in 1872 in Nebraska – resulted in the planting of an estimated 1 million trees.

HECO will have a variety of plants to choose from – one per customer – at each site, including fruit trees, spice plants, flowering shrubs and native plants.

New this year are ‘akia, cup and saucer, Hawaiian Flag hibiscus, wiliwili, bay leaf, dwarf wi, sour sop and star fruit. Certified arborists and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and advise on planting and care.

Organizers urge the public to arrive early, as supplies deplete quickly.

The giveaway starts at 9 a.m. at Waimea Valley and the botanical garden. Waimea Valley also will be selling plants.

Other sites opening at 7 a.m. are the Urban Garden Center in Pearl City, Kahe Power Plant in West Oahu, HECO’s Ward Avenue facility and its Koolau base yard in Kailua.

For more information, email info@arbordayhawaii.org or call 543-7511.