This month, we celebrate trees in Georgia.
Georgia’s Arbor Day is the third Friday of February, because this time of the year is the better time of the year to plant trees successfully in our area. Celebrating Arbor Day sometimes is a little confusing because there is a National Arbor Day in April on Earth Day, but most states — like Georgia — have their own official Arbor Days because of varied planting periods around the country.
Whether we know it or not, trees are valuable parts of our landscape and lives. I think that most of us value trees for the beauty and the shade that they provide, especially in the summertime. Trees play many vital roles in our environment — helping homes be more energy efficient with shading and wind-blocking, reducing urban storm-water runoff, producing oxygen and more.
This month, we are celebrating trees by providing a limited number of trees for planting. Our goal is to encourage as many local citizens to help us grow our tree canopy. We will be giving away trees on Arbor Day Weekend from Feb. 21-22. If you would like to reserve a tree, we will have several types — dogwoods; red, white, lavender and pink crape myrtles; white oaks; red oaks; and swamp chestnuts. We encourage civic and youth groups, schools, churches, businesses and municipalities as well as individuals to reserve a tree to plant if you are interested, while our supplies last. We can offer only one per household or organization. If you would like to reserve a tree, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at 880-4888 or klcb@coastalnow.net. The deadline for reserving a tree is Feb. 17.  
Trees can be picked up from 9 a.m.-noon Friday, Feb. 20, at Farmers Natural Foods, 754 Elma G. Miles Parkway in Hinesville, or at one of our three Recycle It! Fair sites from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. These locations are:
• Liberty County Health Department, 1113 E. Oglethorpe Highway
• Midway Police Department, 10490 East Oglethorpe in Midway
• Walthourville City Hall, 222 Busbee Drive in Walthourville
Once again, here are the items we will accept:
• Electronics. Computer hard drives will be wiped clean.
• Household paint in well-sealed, non-rusty cans that are at least half-full. For a can in poor condition, add cat litter or sand to the paint, let it dry and dispose of the cans in your regular garbage.
• CFLs and fluorescent light bulbs
• Used motor oil, antifreeze, car batteries. We will accept the car batteries accepted at the Midway and Walthourville sites, but oil and antifreeze accepted only in clean, disposable containers.
• Any household batteries
• Printer ink and toner cartridges
• Telephone books and large sale catalogs
• Hardback books, paperbacks and textbooks
• Old prescription medications and over-the-counter medications. No hypodermic needles.
• Household goods and clean, decent-condition clothes
• Shoes
• TerraCycle items
By working to increase our tree canopy in our towns and cities and neighborhoods, we benefit our whole community. Trees do so much for us. Let’s celebrate them this month!
For more information on recycling or the upcoming tree giveaways, contact us at 880-4888 or klcb@coastalnow.net or check out our website at www.keeplibertybeautiful.org.