ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Arbor Day will be celebrated in Robertsdale on Saturday, Feb. 28 with a brief speaking program and a tree giveaway in Garrett Park at 9 a.m.

Those attending the program will be able to pick up seedlings of live oak, maple, river birch, willow oak and mayhaw. Attendees do not have to live in Robertsdale.

The trees, which vary in final size and growth habits, will come with a sheet detailing where to plant and how to care for the new tree, says Sonja Jackson, chairperson of the Robertsdale Park and Tree Committee, which is sponsoring the event.

The committee kicked of the Arbor Day observance with the planting of a mayhaw tree on the grounds of the town’s public works facility on East Chicago Street.

Robertsdale isn’t the only town to celebrate Arbor Day. The town of Silverhill will be giving away a variety of trees beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday at the town hall on State Highway 104.

“We will be giving away nine (varieties of) trees,” said Town Clerk Bonnie McNiel.

According to McNeil, the public will be able to pick up a pack of tree seedlings.

“We will have Nuttall Oak, Shumard Oak, bald cypress, dogwood, green ash, red japanese maple, river birch, tupelo gum, and yellow poplar,” said McNeil.

The town will have 100 each of the trees. If nine trees is too much for the yard, McNeil says people may swap, or ask a particular tree or trees be left out of the pack.

Loxley, according to Town Clerk Carol Middleton, had their celebration Feb. 19 and 20.

“We gave away several types of trees,” said Middleton.

The mayhaw, part of Robertsdale’s selection of trees, is said to grow well in this region, and will bloom twice a year. The tree is expected to grow about 10 feet high and spread about 10 feet, making it a good “street tree.” Besides their flowers, mayhaws are prized for their fruit, which makes a tart jelly.

“Trees cut utility bills (by providing shade in summer) and break the winds of a hurricane,” said Jackson, citing the benefits of trees, “They beautify the city.”

Nell Calloway, a member of the committee, agrees. She knows all too well the benefits of trees — she and her husband moved here from Hattiesburg, Miss. and were on the Bayway during Hurricane Camille.

A lot of Robertsdale trees went down then. According to a National Weather Service Web site, Camille was “the second most intense hurricane of record to hit the United States.”

That meant there was plenty of work for the Tree and Park Committee. Calloway wasn’t a member then, but she recalls the damage done to the area’s trees.

“Trees really keep up a city,” said Calloway. She remembers fondly the oaks that used to line Highway 59.

Jackson says some of the trees were removed because they were damaged or diseased, and as many as possible were replaced.

One of the committee's endeavors has been beautifying the walking/bike trail that parallels much of Highway 59. Jackson says the trail, which was once a railroad right-of-way presents some planting challenges because the ground around the right-of-way has been compacted down.

“I can remember when the walking trail went from the old post office to the new post office,” said Calloway.

Jackson added that the trail has been expanded since then.

“We have done a lot of work there,”

The committee hopes the seedlings will flourish and provide area residents with enjoyment for years to come.

“If people want to see what we are doing, they can come to our meetings,” said Calloway.