Alachua County celebrates Florida Arbor Day with tree planting at Cellon Oak Park

Residents of Alachua County celebrated Florida Arbor Day with a tree-planting ceremony on Friday.

The event was held at Cellon Oak Park, the home of the largest Live Oak in Florida, and was held to recognize the importance of trees in our community.

Volunteers, including local scout troops and UF students, came out to support the county arborist in planting the trees.

"Planting trees is the most consequential thing we can do to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere," said Terry Harpold, a volunteer at the event."They provide a rich and diverse environment, they hold onto water, they provide food for animals and birds and insects, and it creates a world that is more likely to be sustainable and resiliant."

Some of the trees that were planted include spruce pines, persimmons, pecans, and southern magnolias.