The City of Prattville will observe Arbor Day on Tuesday, February 22nd, however, Horticulture began their work for the event today. The planting of five overcup oaks (Quercus lyrata Walt) donated by Plantation Tree Company had to be done ahead of time. Horticulture, with the assistance of the Street Department, had to bring the trees to the location on a lowboy trailer. They are about 1 foot in diameter and approximately 16 feet tall. A backhoe had to be used to dig the holes large enough for the root balls of these trees. Also, it was important to plant these trees early to give them time to root in the soil before presentation of Spring foliage.

The trees were planted parallel to the sidewalk on the Gray Price Bridge. They are located between the Community Gardens, managed by the Master Gardeners, and the bridge.

Overcup Oak trees will grow 1-2 feet per year resulting in a mature height of 45-70 feet tall with a 45-foot spread.

Please join us for the ceremonial planting on Arbor Day which will be held at the Community Gardens located adjacent to the Autauga Prattville Public Library (254 Doster Street) at 10 a.m. on February 22, 2011. Once again, the Alabama Forestry Commission has generously provided over two thousand tree seedlings for free distribution at the Arbor Day event. Tree varieties available include bald cypress, beauty berry, chickasaw plum, chinese dogwood, crepe myrtle green ash japanese maple, oaks (live, nuttall, sawtooth and shumard), red bud, red maple, river birch, and white mulberry.

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