LEXINGTON, Ky. — Several events have been held throughout Lexington for Tree Week. Saturday, Trees Lexington held a tree adoption event.

What You Need To Know

  • The tree adoption event is part of Tree Week, a week-long celebration of trees

  • At the adoption event, volunteers educated attendees about the different tree options to find a suitable tree for those looking to take one home

  • The event was put together by Trees Lexington and according to members of the nonprofit, it is beneficial to the organization's mission

  • Over 40 species of trees were available, with all of them being native to Kentucky

Trees Lexington is a nonprofit with the goal of expanding Lexington’s tree canopy.

There were over 40 species of trees at the event that were all native to Kentucky. Volunteers guided attendees through the process of adoption to ensure they are matched to the most suitable tree.

“There’s lots of trees available, people are very friendly, you know, greeting you and willing to help kind of guide you in the right direction, give you all the information you need,” said John Kelly, who adopted a pawpaw and pecan tree. “So it’s been really fun.”

Nancy Barnett, who is on the board of directors for Trees Lexington, says that the adoption event is beneficial to the organization’s mission. The largest amount of plantable land is on private property, according to Barnett.

“We give trees away, twice a year, in the spring and fall,” she said. “And we give over 300 trees away to citizens of Fayette County in hopes that they will plant them and care for them, and create a canopy.”

There have been studies conducted to measure how beneficial trees are to a community. One study concluded that increasing tree cover has the potential to reduce gun violence, an issue that remains a concern in Lexington.