Macomb County branches out with multiple Arbor Day events

Macomb County is embracing this year’s Arbor Day, the national holiday meant to encourage people to plant trees. Several businesses and organizations throughout the county have plans for this Friday, April 27.

At the Warren Civic Center, a variety of trees, bushes, fruit, and vegetables will be sold at affordable prices. Blue Water Conservation District will be on hand selling its surplus stock, which includes oak, maples, lilac, redwood, and dogwood bushes and trees. Also available are strawberry, raspberry, asparagus, horseradish, and rhubarb plants.

Also on hand will be Michigan State University Extension. They’ll be answering questions and offering guidance on planting and tree care practices. Visitors may also purchase soil test kits. For $25, property owners can collect their own soil samples and sent them to MSU, which will then inform residents of the types of soil on their properties and how best to improve their growing potential.

The event at the Warren Civic Center takes place Friday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The non-profit tree-planting organization ReLeaf of Michigan will also be active throughout Macomb County this Arbor Day, coordinating the planting of approximately 700 trees in Center Line, Clinton Township, Eastpointe, Fraser, Harrison Township, Mount Clemens, Roseville, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Utica, and Warren.

Employees of AGS Automotive, an automotive supplier with locations in Warren and Sterling Heights, will be receiving 500 trees amongst themselves as part of the company’s Arbor Day celebrations.

According to officials with the county, the tree canopy throughout Macomb County has been negatively impacted by decades of infestations, aging infrastructure replacement, and natural lifespans, and especially so south of the Clinton River. The county has developed the website Green Macomb to help raise awareness around the issue.