CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – With spring just around the corner, residents in Clarksville-Montgomery County were invited to pick up free tree seedlings on Friday. Around 2,300 were available, with each person allowed to receive up to five seedlings.

Close to 40 volunteers helped with the drive-thru giveaway near Freedom Point at Liberty Park.

City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Arbor Day Celebration with volunteers handing out free tree seedlings to residents at Liberty Park on Mar. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

“For the betterment of Montgomery County conservation and soil erosion, we are giving away tree seedlings,” said Nancy Holt, Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District administrator. “Trees love to grab hold of that soil and hang onto it, and this is the perfect time of the year to plant it. What you have is beautification for generations to come.”

National Arbor Day is April 28, and Katy Killebrew, city forester for Clarksville, said the event was to celebrate Tennessee Arbor Day. “This helps us qualify each year for our Tree City USA, this will be our 34th year in a row that we have gotten our Tree City Award,” Killebrew said.

There were around 16 species of seedlings which included persimmon, red mulberry and northern red oak, to name a few.

Other organizations and volunteers participating in the Arbor Day event included the Clarksville Tree Board, Montgomery County Soil & Water, UT TSU Extension Service, Montgomery County Master Gardeners, and Clarksville Building & Facilities Maintenance.