April 19, 2019
Edison and Ford Winter Estates Planting Trees for Arbor Day
FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 19, 2019) — On April 26 at 10 a.m., Edison and Ford Winter Estates will hold its annual Arbor Day celebration. As part of the tradition, students from Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School will help plant trees on the historic property. This year, Ms. Tania Slorian’s first grade class will plant two Poitea carinalis, or Caribwood trees at the Ford estate entrance gate for future generations to enjoy.
Students from Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School help plant a tree at Edison and Ford Winter Estates on Arbor Day.
“It’s always fun to get the students involved in this event,” said Debbie Hughes, senior horticulturist at Edison Ford. “They have been learning about the environment, so this is a great way for them to get hands-on experience.”
The first Arbor Day was born on April 10 in 1872 when J. Sterling Morton called for a day of planting trees as a way to encourage the practice in the Midwest prairie states. It is believed that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska that day. Then, in 1885, the state declared Morton’s birthday, April 22, as Arbor Day.
The holiday is celebrated in all 50 states and in many other countries; although, the day of observance varies, depending on the best time of year to plant trees in each area. Fort Myers is part of a nationwide movement, providing the necessary framework for communities to manage and expand spaces with trees. Many of the trees on the Edison Ford site were originally planted because Thomas Edison understood the importance of adding trees to our neighborhoods. He planted many unusual varieties that still stand tall today.
At Edison Ford, trees are planted throughout the year; however, on Arbor Day, students and groups from garden clubs and other community organizations are invited to participate. Over the years, a large variety of trees have been planted on the property, including Mango, Hong Kong Orchid, Live Oak, Geiger, citrus, Calabash, Royal Poinciana and Jacaranda. The site features hundreds of tropical trees on more than 20 acres, including the giant Banyan and Mysore Fig.
The Arbor Day celebration is included with general admission. For more information, visit us online.
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