The Understory: All About Native Trees Arbor Day Program

Johnny Randall, retired North Carolina Botanical Garden Director of Conservation will talk about the value of our native understory trees to biological diversity and landscape use. Understory trees provide food for numerous moth and butterfly caterpillars, nectar for pollinating insects, and seeds and fruits for birds and other wildlife. In a home landscape setting, these smaller native trees are also great for providing shade when there is insufficient space for a large tree to grow to maturity. Understory trees often have showy flowers, colorful fruits, interesting bark, and architectural interest that goes beyond feeding and providing homes for wildlife by offering us beauty and connections with the place we also call home.

The first 50 registrants will recieve a free Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis, seedling to take home and plant, courtesy of the Chapel Hill Friends of Parks and Greenways.