Newport Arboretum Week Begins Friday

The Newport Tree Society will host Newport Arboretum Week between Earth Day and Arbor Day.

From April 20 to 27 Newport Arboretum Week will encompass activities and opportunities for the community to appreciate, enjoy and interact with Newport’s urban forest.

Here is the list of events as provided by the Newport Arboretum’s website:

Friday, April 20

CHILDREN’S TREE WALK & TOUCH-A-BUCKET-TRUCK TREE CLIMBING DEMO. An exciting event for kids of all ages, meet Charlie Ridolph, Newport City Forester, as he demonstrates tree climbing techniques and equipment and leads families on an entertaining tree walk through historic Morton Park. Meet at Morton Park at 1p.m. FREE

Monday, April 23

COLONIAL TREE WALK. The Colonial Tree Walk begins in Newport’s historic town common: Washington Square. On your walk, you will pass the first Fernleaf Beech specimen planted in America, along with numerous architectural landmarks including our nation’s oldest synagogue, oldest lending library, and the oldest Episcopal Church in continuous use. Meet at 5:30 p.m. at the horse trough in Washington Square. FREE

Tuesday, April 24

TREE WALK AT CHATEAU-SUR-MER. Hosted by the Preservation Society of Newport County, this guided tree walk is a unique opportunity to walk the grounds of one of Newport’s legendary Gilded Age mansions, Chateau-sur-Mer, and examine its exceptional collection of specimen trees. The 11 a.m. guided walk will be led by Jeffrey Curtis, Preservation Society Director of Gardens and Grounds. FREE

AQUIDNECK PARK TREE WALK and FREE MOVIE EVENT. 6 p.m. tree walk at Aquidneck Park followed by the award-winning documentary, Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Mathai at the at 7 p.m. Taking Root tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy. FREE

Wednesday, April 25

NEWPORT IN BLOOM SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOP. Scott Wheeler, Newport Tree & Parks Supervisor, will speak about tree maintenance, and lecturer Katie Dyer will explain how to make any garden a Certified National Wildlife Habitat, among other activities. Click here for more information from Newport in Bloom. Workshop will be held at from 6 to 9 p.m. FREE

Thursday, April 26

TREE WALK AT BELLEVUE HOUSE A unique opportunity to explore a wonderful private Newport landscape. Built in 1910 by celebrated designer and landscape architect, Ogdon Codman, Bellevue House’s grounds include a reproduction McIntire tea house, garden follies and an Oriental garden. 5:30 p.m. at 304 Bellevue Avenue. FREE

Friday, April 27

ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING 9 a.m. at Morton Park. Memorial tree planting in honor of Peter Simpson, with the Horticultural Team. FREE