By Brea Cunningham—
MUNCIE, IN— Celebrate the roots of sustainability at the 2025 Muncie Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. This free, family-friendly event honors Muncie’s 27th year as a Tree City USA, bringing the community together to explore nature, plant for the future, and take home a tree of their own.
The centerpiece of the event is the free sapling giveaway, offering a variety of native canopy and understory trees to grow in your own backyard. Explore a stunning selection of canopy trees—while these saplings may be small now, they’ll one day tower above, reaching heights of 40 to 90 feet. The canopy saplings available for giveaway include Black Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Scarlet Oak, Sweet Gum, Bald Cypress, Tulip Tree, and Sycamore. Beneath them, the understory trees will grow to 8 to 20 feet and bring a touch of shade, with resilient varieties like Redbud and Paw Paw that thrive in cooler, shaded spots. Quantities are limited—arrive early as saplings are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
At 10:30 a.m., Mayor Dan Ridenour will present the official Arbor Day proclamation, celebrating our city’s ongoing commitment to urban forestry and environmental stewardship.
Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy:
—Tree planting demos by local horticulture experts
— Hands-on, nature-themed crafts for kids and families
—Special appearances by Johnny Appleseed
— Free raffles featuring eco-friendly prizes—think trees, garden tools, and more.
“Muncie’s Arbor Day celebration is more than a tradition—it’s a chance to connect, learn, and take meaningful action for our environment,” said James Edwards, Director of Horticulture at Minnetrista. “We want every guest to leave empowered to grow and support urban forestry.”
Wrap up your day with grounding—literally. At 3 p.m., join a free yoga session led by certified instructor Che’Reese Anderson. This gentle, inclusive class will help you stretch, breathe, and find your balance—Tree Pose is optional but definitely encouraged.
Whether you’re planting the future, striking a pose, or simply enjoying crafting with your family, the 2025 Muncie Arbor Day Celebration offers a full day of meaningful fun.
Muncie Arbor Day Celebration community partners include Muncie Delaware Clean and Beautiful, Red-Tail Land Conservancy, City of Muncie: Muncie Urban Forestry Program, Mayor Dan Ridenour, Urban Forestry Committee, Community Enhancement Projects, Muncie Sanitary District, Master Gardeners, Delaware County Invasive Plant Project, and Muncie Action Plan.
The post Free Tree Giveaway and Family Fun at Muncie’s Arbor Day Celebration appeared first on Muncie Journal.
