Guided Tour of Trees on Main Street in August Sponsored by Hendersonville Tree Board

An outstanding variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers create a linear park along Hendersonville’s Main Street.  On Sunday, August 20, at 2 p.m., Arborist Bill Leatherwood will lead a walk to identify the trees and discuss the special care and maintenance that helps the plants and trees thrive in the landscaped, restrictive areas of the beds and containers on Main Street.  Space is limited for the 90-minute walk.  Make reservations by Thursday, August 17, by phoning Mac Brackett at 828-692-3026.  Details will be provided.  The walk is open to the public at no charge. 

Leatherwood, an arborist contracted by the City of Hendersonville to care for downtown trees, is intimately involved with tree care and maintenance along the downtown artery and has inventoried each tree and shrub.  He will discuss methods he uses to both prevent and treat pest damage, to which the trees are always susceptible, and his efforts to keep the trees and shrubs stress-free. 

From magnolias to smoke trees, bald cypress, redbuds, ginkgoes, maples, rhododendron, and others, the variety of trees and shrubs along Hendersonville’s Main Street corridors list like a small arboretum.  Best pruning practices for trees in small spaces, and a rundown on special needs of trees that survive well around people, parades, social gatherings, pets, stop-and-go traffic, and strong winds will be discussed.   

 “The trees and garden-like setting create the character of Main Street as much as the sidewalk cafes and historic buildings,” Leatherwood explained.  “As we walk, we will identify some unusual trees and see how the City and the downtown business district have planted and maintained trees over the years to enhance the beauty of this ‘front yard’ of Hendersonville.”

Hendersonville Tree Board is sponsor of this event.  Commissioned by the City of Hendersonville to provide advice on the selection and care of trees and shrubs in public places, the Tree Board also educates the public concerning the economic, environmental, and aesthetic benefits of trees, shrubs, and native plantings.  The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Hendersonville as a Tree City USA for over 30 years because of its high level of urban tree management.  In 2018 the N.C. Forest Service recognized the city as Tree City of the Year in North Carolina.  The municipality has been a designated Bee City USA since 2015.     

      Phone Tree Board Chair Mac Bracket at 828-692-3026 by Thursday, August 17, to make a reservation for the walk on Sunday, August 20.   To learn more about Hendersonville Tree Board and its projects visit the webpage at http://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/tree-board.