Arbor Day is a formally designated holiday around the world dedicated to honoring, planting and enjoying the benefits of trees.
Arbor Day has been recognized in Hawai'i for over 110 years, and every November communities across the Hawaiian islands gather to celebrate trees. November marks the beginning of the rainy season in Hawai‘i, the perfect time to plant a tree! This year, on Saturday, November 3rd, we will give away 2,500 trees to residents of O'ahu at 5 giveaway sites.
Find the giveaway site closest to you for your free tree!
Oʻahu Tree Giveaways:
Honolulu - Foster Botanical Garden
Pearl City - Urban Garden Center
Central Oʻahu - Wahiawa Botanical Garden
North Shore - Waimea Valley Botanical Garden
Windward - Kailua United Methodist Church
Please visit ArborDayHawaii.org for individual event details.
Trees available at O’ahu giveaway sites:
One plant per family, while supplies last:
- Fruit Trees / Edible Plants:
- Cacao, Theobroma cacao
- Calamondin, Citrofortunella microcarpa
- Fig tree, Ficus carica 'White Kadota'
- Lemon drop mangosteen, Garcinia intermedia
- Meyer lemon, Citrus x meyeri 'Meyer'
- Miracle berry, Synsepalum dulcificum
- Tahitian lime, Citrus latifolia
- Native:
- Kou, true kou, Cordia subcordata, Ind.
- Ilima Kula, Sida fallax, Ind.
- Nānū, na'u, Gardenia brighamii, End.
- Koki'o ke'oke'o, Hibiscus arnottianus, End.
- Mao hau hele, Hibiscus brackenridgei, End.
- Other Trees/Plants:
- Plumeria, bridal bouquet, Plumeria pudica
- Tiare, Gardenia taitensis
- Gardenia Aimee Yoshioka
How to choose the right tree for your home:
Planning ahead is the most important step you can take to ensure that the time and money you invest in planting a new tree are well spent. The key to successful landscaping is to plant the right tree in the right place. Make sure there is room for the tree to grow to its mature size without coming into conflict with wires, other trees, buildings, etc.
Make a plan for how you will water and maintain the tree in the future. Do you have a hose nearby? Ability to carry a bucket to water it?
Are you trying to shade your home to cool it during hot summer months and save on A/C costs? Choose a tree that can thrive in full sun and plant it on the south or east side of your home!
We are actively seeking community groups, businesses and organizations that would like to get more involved with Arbor Day Hawai'i! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, volunteer, vendor, or educational partner, please email Crystal Rogers at crogers@smarttreespacific.org
Visit ArborDayHawaii.org for information on other Arbor Day Hawai'i events and tree giveaway sites!
