“I am 78 years old and I still smile at my tree… When I moved to Bexley 10 years ago, I wanted to plant a tree and never got around to it. When I saw the information on the Tree Give Away program I applied… I would never have gotten a tree if not for this plan. Thank you!” - Marcie O.
In the same way zoos play a vital role in educating the public about animals, their habitats, and preserving endangered species, arboretums are places where plants and trees can be protected and propagated to preserve the biological diversity of our planet and our communities. The City of Bexley, Ohio is fortunate enough to be recognized as an arboretum by The Morton Arboretum based in Chicago, IL – the first city in the United States to be designated as such.
Our responsibility as an “Arboretum City” is to, of course, maintain it. Each year, resident volunteers work with City leadership to help develop and implement a series of events to celebrate Arbor Day. Creative ideas come to life at the end of each April to help expand the community’s understanding of the Bexley Arboretum, why it exists, and how each of us play a role in helping it thrive. With grant money awarded by the Bexley Community Foundation, hundreds of trees have been given away to residents. 259 trees to be exact! Residents choose between three tree species, ranging in size, leaf spread, and color, and winners are chosen from a blind drawing. Though you can only enter once per year, residents can apply every year!
If you’re a Bexley resident and are interested in entering the raffle for a free tree, stay tuned to the City of Bexley, Ohio social media channels for instructions on entering! Raffles occur in April, with most of the trees being delivered on or by Arbor Day. The perfect way to celebrate our Arboretum City!
If you’re interested in exploring the Bexley Arboretum, check out the Tree Walks and Special Gems pages on this website. Happy Exploring!
Additional Comments from Tree Recipients:
Lisa B: “We received a beautiful tree last year. The Tree Give Away is a great program, and I love all the trees in Bexley and feel that’s what makes Bexley so unique and incredibly special.
Amanda H: “Our family loves the program, and we are grateful for it. It was a family event and learning experience about Bexley and its being an Arboretum for our 5.5-year-old and 2.5-year-old children.”
Judson D: “The tree is great! We planted it in the front yard. Would like to get another tree this year to replace a diseased pear tree in the backyard.”
Alex B: “This was amazing. We’ve won two trees! The red maple replaced a pear tree. My neighbors had a watering bag which kept the one tree hydrated over the summer. Cannot wait to see the trees this spring. Thank you, Bexley. We appreciate all you do.