28 Years Later, NC TreeFest Hits 100,000 Trees Planted

For 28 years, Wilmington has turned hurricane heartbreak into a forest of hope, one seedling at a time.

TreeFest began in 1997 after hurricanes Bertha and Fran devastated New Hanover County's tree canopy. What started as a simple recovery effort has blossomed into an annual tradition that just hit a massive milestone: 100,000 trees, shrubs, and grasses planted across the community.

This weekend's event welcomed hundreds of families to select up to five free seedlings each. Longleaf pines, bald cypress, and coastal white oaks found new homes in backyards across the county.

"I describe it as the Lorax Christmas," said Amy Long, TreeFest chairperson. "You get to give away trees for free, and everyone is so excited to receive these baby trees, shrubs, and grasses."

28 Years Later, NC TreeFest Hits 100,000 Trees Planted

The magic happens through community generosity. TreeFest operates on suggested $5 donations, a pay-what-you-can model that's funded the entire reforestation effort for nearly three decades. The approach proves that environmental restoration doesn't require massive budgets, just neighbors willing to chip in and dig in.

The Ripple Effect

Those 100,000 plantings represent more than numbers on a conservation scorecard. Each tree creates shade that cools neighborhoods and reduces energy costs. Root systems prevent erosion and filter stormwater. Wildlife finds shelter and food. And kids who plant seedlings today will climb those same trees as parents someday.

The model has staying power because it's simple and joyful. No permits required, no complicated applications. Just show up, pick your favorites, take them home, and watch them grow. That accessibility has turned casual gardeners into conservation champions.

TreeFest continues Saturday at Independence Mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving latecomers a chance to join Wilmington's greenest tradition.

What began as healing after a storm has become something more beautiful: a community that gathers every year to invest in shade they might never sit under.