Holden Arboretum, Cleveland Botanical Garden plan Arbor Day celebration

Apr. 19—The Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Holden Arboretum have unveiled this year's plans to celebrate the planting and care of trees on Arbor Day, April 26.

Holden Forests & Gardens is offering free admission to both the Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Holden Arboretum on that day and the public is invited to bring family and friends for a day immersed in nature at either campus, according to a news release.

The Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. in Cleveland, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Arboretum, 9550 Sperry Road in Kirtland, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are not required.

A free seedling giveaway will take place at the Cleveland Botanical Garden between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and at the Holden Arboretum between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or while supplies last at each campus, the release stated. Tree seedlings will be arborvitaes, a highly adaptable conifer

Organizers are also hoping people will make a donation that day as they work to reach this year's goal of $75,000. Holden Forests & Gardens has made Arbor Day its annual Day of Giving to encourage people to donate in support of educating the next generation of tree stewards and conducting crucial research to slow the rate of biodiversity loss, according to the release.

Board member Roy Minoff will match up to $25,000. Another anonymous board member will match an additional $5,000. People can visit the Arbor Day of Giving Website to donate.

At 1 p.m., CEO Ed Moydell will take part in a ceremonial tree planting — a striped maple in the Woodland Garden at Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Holden Forests & Gardens is in year four of its People for Trees campaign to empower the community to plant and care for 15,000 trees in Northeast Ohio by the end of 2025. Already, more than 12,000 trees have been given away, pledged, and planted by residents of Northeast Ohio, the release stated. Pledge at holdenfg.org/peoplefortrees.

The Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden have the mission to connect people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities.

One of the largest public gardens in the country, Holden Forests & Gardens has over 22,000 member households and an annual attendance of over 300,000.