Arbor Day is celebrated in Bexley throughout the month of April. The Territory of Nebraska hosted the first Arbor Day on April 10, 1882. Today all fifty states celebrate Arbor Day and most celebrate it on the last Friday in April. In 2014, Bexley was accredited by the Morton Arboretum in Chicago as the First Municipal Arboretum in the United States.

A highlight of Bexley’s Arbor Day festivities is the Tree Giveaway Raffle. For the past three years, the Bexley Beautification Fund and the Paige and Mike Crane Fund of the Bexley Community Foundation have partnered with the City to deliver free trees to lucky raffle winners.

This year we are giving away 51 trees bringing the total trees given away over the past four years to 300. Three sizes of trees are available. The smallest tree is a horse chestnut, the medium tree is a lacebark elm, and the largest tree is a tulip poplar.

We have added a treerific convenience to this year’s tree giveaway. We have partnered with Yard Barbers to deliver the trees and plant them for residents. Plus, a Yard Barbers employee will discuss the best placement for the tree with each resident as well as proper watering and care procedures. This step will help ensure viability for the tree. An April Bexley Blast will note the details on how and when to register for the raffle.

Jay Sterling Morton noted, “Each generation takes the earth as trustees. We ought to bequeath to posterity as many forests and orchards as we have exhausted and consumed.” The 2023 Bexley Arbor Day Tree Giveaway offers 51 residents the opportunity to become this generation’s trustees.

If you would like more information on the grant program or would like to learn more about the Foundation please contact Hallie Raskin, Executive Director, at Hallie@BexleyCommunityFoundation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @BexleyCommunityFoundation