Volunteers work together at tree planting event

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — On Saturday, the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees hosted a community tree planting event, bringing together both seasoned green thumbs and beginners eager to contribute to making Wilmington a greener place. The event was an opportunity for residents to roll up their sleeves and play a role in enhancing the city’s tree canopy.

The day kicked off at 10 a.m. with a planting demonstration, providing volunteers with valuable tips and techniques for planting trees. Afterward, participants were divided into groups, each assigned to a specific planting location across Wilmington, carefully coordinated with the City of Wilmington to ensure optimal placement of new trees.

Isabelle Shepherd, Executive Director of the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, shared the broader significance of these efforts. “Trees are more than just aesthetic additions to our landscape. They are vital green infrastructure, providing economic, environmental, and health benefits to residents. We want to make sure those benefits are received by all in Wilmington for equitable coverage of our tree canopy,” Shepherd explained.

Throughout the day, each volunteer group was led by a “Tree Steward”—a knowledgeable guide who helped ensure that the planting process went smoothly and that each tree had the best possible start in its new home.