Columbia’s Arbor Day celebration begins with tree giveaway | Mid-Missouri News [Video]

Individuals who want to celebrate Arbor Day this year can receive free seedlings at the Columbia Farmers Market at 8 a.m. Saturday. 

This year’s Arbor Day celebration will take place on Friday, April 26. Residents who pick up their free seedlings Saturday morning will be able to celebrate the national holiday by planting the seedling in their yards next week. 

The city of Columbia is recognized as a Tree City USA, an honor bestowed by the National Arbor Day Foundation to highlight the city’s commitment to a forestry program. Saturday morning’s event is one of four qualifications that classify Columbia as a Tree City USA.

Each person is limited to two seedlings, and participators can choose from 16 different types of trees to plant.

Columbia residents who want to celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree seedling will want to be up bright and early and arrive at the farmers market right at 8 a.m., Parks and Recreation forester Eric Schmittel said. 

“When we open, there …