Leon County Celebrates Florida Arbor Day with Tree Planting at Buck Lake Trailhead

This morning, nearly 100 community volunteers and staff celebrated Florida Arbor Day at St. Marks Headwaters Buck Lake Trailhead by successfully planting more than 200 native trees at the annual Arbor Day Tree Planting event hosted by Leon County Government.

“Leon County’s natural beauty is part of what makes our community such a great place to live," said Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban. "Planting these trees is a simple, hands-on way we're protecting that beauty and investing in future generations."

“Planting a tree is a small act that adds up to something truly transformational," said Leon County Commission Vice Chairman David T. O'Keefe. "In District 5, it's neighbors working side-by-side to make our local trails, parks, and natural areas even stronger--one tree at a time." 

Each year, this event supports and strengthens the hundreds of native and migratory species that call Leon County home, while also contributing to the community’s beautification and the overall improvement of the environment. Native trees, such as Shumard oak, Live oak, Willow oak, Crabapple, and Beautyberry, were among the variety of species planted, contributing to the community’s aesthetic appeal and environmental well-being.

“Events like this bring out the best in Leon County, with citizens showing up, pitching in, and taking pride in the places we share," said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. "This event has been a Leon County tradition for years, and the impact is real: thousands of trees planted across parks and public spaces, making our community greener and healthier every year." 

The Arbor Day Tree Planting event is one of the many ways the County and City protect and preserve our local ecosystem. Another initiative, the County’s Adopt-a-Tree Program, has led to the planting of thousands of native trees in our community by providing free trees to citizens.

For more information about the County’s ongoing program and to apply for a tree by January 31, 2026, visit LeonCountyFL.gov/AdoptATree. For residents living within Tallahassee city limits, learn more about the City’s Adopt-A-Tree program at Talgov.com/AdoptATree.

For more information about the Arbor Day tree planting event, Dean Richards, Leon County Public Works, at (850) 606-1400 / RichardsD@LeonCountyFL.gov, or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.

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