By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

CLANTON — The City of Clanton will celebrate Arbor Day by holding its annual tree giveaway on Feb. 21.

Saplings are provided by the Arbor Day Foundation and are free to community members. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot at the corner of Sixth Street and First Avenue.

Chilton County Forester Brian Smith and members of the Clanton Tree Board will be on hand to answer any questions about the species or care of the tree.

Susan Rickles, secretary for the tree board, said the board does not know the specific species the Arbor Day Foundation will provide. However, young oak trees have been donated in past years. Rickles said the foundation discontinued sending out a list of species prior to events about three years ago.

The number of trees that will be given out is also unknown, but past events have seen as many as 3,000 saplings available.

Rickles said participation varies from year to year.

The tree giveaway has been an annual event in Clanton for at least 15 years.

It is important to consider how tall a tree could grow before planting it near powerlines. The proximity to buildings is also important to consider.

Participating in an Arbor Day observation is one of the things that qualifies Clanton as a Tree City USA community.

Other requirements are having a tree ordinance, an active tree board and a community forestry program. The tree board makes decisions on whether a tree on public land would be cut down.