The Pike County Chapter of the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association will host its 21st Annual Tree Giveaway from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. Thursday, February 21 on the square in downtown Troy.

Carol Dorrill, chapter immediate past president, said everyone who would like to add to the beauty of their lawn or property is encouraged to make plans to be there.

“It is interesting that the trees will be given away on the square at the corner of Oak and Elm streets,” Dorrill said. “We will have a large variety of bare-root saplings to give. You can pick and choose the trees you want. We are not sure what trees will be available to us but, but most likely, the saplings will include different kinds of oaks and acorn trees that will be specifically for wildlife.”

The saplings will be ready for potting.

“The recommendation is that the saplings be placed in small pots and kept watered over the summer so they can establish a good root system,” Dorrill said. “When the trees go into the dormant stage, they will be ready to plant and will have a good chance of surviving.”

Dorrill said there is evidence all around the county of the aesthetic benefits of the annual tree giveaway.

“John and I have an oak tree that we planted 21 years ago on the corner of our cabin at the farm,” Dorrill said. “It is providing us with shade and also food for the wildlife. All around the county you can see oaks, crepe myrtles, crabapples, beauty berries, redbuds, just a lot of giveaway trees.”

Members of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Farm City Committee and the Pike County Master Gardeners will assist with the tree giveaway.