A Good Day For Trees

As Americans planted trees from one end of this country to the other in observance of National Arbor Day (April 28), Sarasota did its part by giving trees to various organizations at official tree-planting events. Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1872 and quickly took root across the United States. Sarasota enthusiastically participates.

The Historical Society of Sarasota County was one of the groups honored. From the welcoming front porch of the historic Bidwell-Wood House (1882) located in Pioneer Park at 1260 12th Street, Mayor Willie Shaw read the official city proclamation noting how valuable trees are to the environment. Vice President of the Historical Society, Marsha Fottler, accepted a lovely white-flowering Geiger tree that is now in the members garden of the Historical Society.

Volunteers at the Society started the garden five years ago with grant from the Founders Garden Club and it is maintained by members who volunteer on the Landscape Committee. The Historical Society garden surrounds both the Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901). The extensive garden is Florida friendly and includes a wide brick path and window-box gardens, as well as benches for relaxing.