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Soddy-Daisy’s Third Annual Arbor Day Celebration March 2, 2024

Led by Vietnam Veterans at Veterans Park

This year, Soddy-Daisy’s Arbor Day tree planting will return to Veterans Park, where we planted 35 shade trees last year. In 2024, 20 flowering trees will be planted to compliment those shade trees. They are beautiful! We are honored to have three Vietnam Veterans lead the tree selection, layout, and planting effort – Gene Hyde, Robert Cothran, and Harvey Anderson. Thank you for your continued service!

As we did last year, you may donate a tree in honor or in memory of someone. For your donation of $100 or more, you will receive a certificate suitable for framing and your donation will be posted on our website.

Date: March 2, 2024
Location: Veterans Park, 9009 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN

🚩 Event Highlights:

  • Lead by Vietnam Veterans: A unique celebration led by our heroes at Veterans Park.
  • Tree Planting Extravaganza: We’re planting more trees than ever! Be part of the green movement.
  • Educational Demonstrations: Learn about the trees we’re planting and how to care for them.
  • Community Engagement: Team up with fellow community members for a fulfilling day of giving back.

🕒 Schedule:

  • 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Setup and Team Leader Meeting
  • 10:00 AM: Volunteer Registration
  • 10:15 AM: Opening Ceremony with introductions of Vietnam Veterans and event leaders
  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Tree Planting & Care Activities
  • 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Wrap Up, Lunch, and Volunteer Recognition

🌱 Trees to be Planted:

Yoshino Cherry (5)

The Yoshino cherry (also known as the Japanese flowering cherry) is the darling of the flowering tree world and the star of such renowned events as the National and International Cherry Blossom Festivals. This stand-out tree is, of course, known for its vibrant display of white-pink blossoms and faint almond fragrance in the springtime. In the summer, this tree will be a highlight in the yard with its beautiful branching pattern, glossy bark and dark green leaves.

  • Blooms March through April in a profusion of fragrant white-pink flowers
  • Is deer-resistant, seldom severely damaged
  • Features an unusual form with a lovely branching pattern

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry (3)

This serviceberry offers beauty across the seasons. In the spring, fragrant white flowers bloom, with edible blueberry-like fruits emerging in the summer. Its leaves then turn a brilliant orange and red in the fall.

  • Produces fragrant white blooms in spring
  • Yields 3-8″ edible fruit, which attracts birds and can be used in jams and jellies
  • Provides colorful foliage in fall 
  • Is resistant to disease

Cherokee Princess White Dogwood (2)

The show never ends with this special variety of white dogwood. The tree blooms at an earlier age than most dogwoods, producing gorgeous, bright white flowers in the spring. In the fall, its foliage turns a beautiful shade of red and purple.

  • Blooms several years earlier than other dogwood varieties
  • Produces white, showy blooms in spring
  • Shifts to red and purple foliage in fall
  • Attracts birds with fruit that matures in late summer

Winter King Hawthorn (3)

This is a dense, rounded, tree with a broad spreading crown. Gray stems are clad with glossy dark green leaves. 

  • Leaves turn purple to red in fall. 
  • Fragrant, 5-petaled, white flowers bloom in May. 
  • Flowers are followed by small red fruits that ripen in September and usually persist on the tree well into winter. 
  • Fruits are technically edible, but are usually best left for the birds. The fruit may be harvested to make jelly. 
  • Bark on mature trunks exfoliates to reveal orange inner bark.

Okame Cherry (7)

This Cherry grows 15 to 25 ft. tall and 15 to 20 ft. wide and is known as a good selection for streets, parks or other public areas. 

  • It features rosy pink leaves which turn bronzy red to bright orange to red in fall
  • The bark has a distinctive reddish brown color 
  • It blooms earlier than other cherries, with its mildly fragrant, 5-petaled, rosy pink flowers

👥 How to Get Involved:

  • You can volunteer to help (planting, helping with refreshments or cheering on the planters) 
  • You can make a donation. For a donation of $100+ you can donate a tree in honor of or in memory of someone
  • Spread the Word: Share our event and flyers to gather more support.

Partners: Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful, the City of Soddy-Daisy, Ivy Academy and Tennessee Department of Forestry 

📞 Contact:

For more information, please reach out to Jim Stewart at [email protected].

Current Donors List

Event Flyers to Print & Share