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Tree Education

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Tree Classes & Events

Tree Pruning Basics for Every Yard

February 7| 9:30 – 11 a.m. | Carpenter Park

March 7 | 9:30 – 11 a.m. | Bond Park Boathouse

Help support the long-term health of Cary's urban forest by learning essential tips and techniques for basic tree pruning. Together, we can grow and care for the urban forest of tomorrow. Registration required.

Tree Talk: Soil Care

March 25 | noon – 1 p.m. | Virtual

Join us for Q&A to learn more about planting and growing healthy trees. This lunch-and-learn program is free and virtual. Registered attendees will receive a program calendar invite via Webex about 24 hours prior to the class. Registration closes 2 days before the program. Registration required.

Arbor Day & My Tree, Our Tree Giveaway

March 28, 2026 | noon – 3 p.m.

Celebrate Cary’s commitment to our urban forests with live music, local food, kids’ activities, and more. 
 
This event offers free fun for the whole family plus the chance to engage with environmental experts about native plants, healthy soils, and going green at home. Ask an arborist about the trees in your yard and how to enhance Cary's tree canopy. Don’t miss the chance to register to win a free compost bin, rain barrel, or native plant gardening kit while we celebrate Cary’s 42nd year as a Tree City USA community. Learn more.


The 2026 Arbor Day celebration will be held in conjunction with the My Tree, Our Tree native tree giveaway program. This program allows registered Cary citizens to pick up one free native tree per household to plant in their yard and add to the community's tree canopy.

What's That Tree: Tree ID for All

May 2 | 9:30 – 11 a.m. | Carpenter Park

May 9 | 9:30 –  11 a.m. | Bond Park Boathouse

Enjoy a fun walk in your local park where you’ll learn to identify trees and discover Cary’s commitment to a healthy urban forest. This family-friendly outing is perfect for all ages and a great way to connect with nature close to home. Registration required. 

Tree Tips

 

Tree Pruning

Click here to learn about the best approaches to tree pruning.

How to Plant a Tree in Five Easy Steps

Local Master Arborist Katie Rose Levin shows how to grow healthy and beautiful trees through simple steps you can do at home.

 
Planting a tree in springtime? Check mulched areas and shrub beds for seedlings that need transplanting. The smaller the seedling, the better the chance of survival. Trees such as maple, ash, and dogwood germinate in the spring, and first-year seedlings are easier to move successfully. Oaks and other trees germinate in the fall. 

 

Top Trees for Your Yard

Dr. Barbara Fair, Landscape Specialist for NC State University and certified arborist, suggests some large and understory tree species. Consider using these native trees and plant material and removing invasive species.

 

 

Tree Care 101

Master arborist Katie Rose Levin points out some clues to look for to help you gauge the health of your trees.

 

 

Mulching

Practice good mulching this season with some tips from Town staff expert Srijana Guilford.

 

With the right touch, hardwood mulch retains soil moisture, acts as a buffer from extreme temperatures, and suppresses weeds. When it is time to mulch, know what’s needed:

  • Think 2x2x2: up to two inches of mulch, at least two inches away from the trunk, in a circle two feet wide or to the edge of the canopy when possible. 
  • Check the depth of existing mulch and, if sufficient, use a rake to break it up and refresh the look. Breaking up the mulch helps the tree roots access to air and water.
Following these suggestions prevents you from creating a "mulch volcano," mulching too high and too deep around tree trunks. These mounds of mulch are bad news for tree growth and development. They make tree bark prone to disease, attract insects and rodents, and affect root development. The NC Urban Forest Council provides more tree mulching tips.

 

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