The 9^th Annual Tree Festival will be held at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center at 21^st and Ridge in Wichita on Saturday March 27 from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This informative event will provide information on selecting, planting and maintaining trees whether in the city or countryside.  Admission is free.

Seminars include appropriate topics for both the homeowner and commercial audience. Plant vendors from around the region will have unique trees and plants for sale.

Tours and Seminars include:

8:30 Right Tree, Right Place – seminar – Dr. Jason Griffin, Director – John Pair Horticulture Center

9:15 Tree Pioneer Dedication – Tim Martz

9:30 Trees for Tomorrow – seminar – Doug Grimm – Grimms’ Garden

9:30 Composting Demonstration – Demonstration in Garden – Extension Master Gardeners

10:00 Tree Planting Demonstration – Demonstration on Grounds – Extension Master Gardeners

10:30 Landscaping for Energy Conservation – seminar – Bob Neier – County Extension Agent, Horticulture

11:00 Tour of Riparian Woodland Nature Trail – walking tour – Extension Master Gardener

11:00 Pruning & Care seminar – Brian Hurd – Ryan Lawn & Tree

11:45 Plants that Survive in Shade – seminar – Extension Master Gardener

12:00 Tour of Extension Arboretum – Bob Neier – County Extension Agent, Horticulture

12:30 Rain Barrels, seminar – Peter Daniels

Participants can take time and walk through the Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum and learn about trees adapted to central Kansas.

Starting a 8:00 pancakes & sausage served by Extension Master Gardeners ($4)

At 9:15 a.m. is the presentation of the Tree Pioneer Award, which recognizes the contributions of an individual who helped introduce trees that will thrive in our prairie climate. Timothy R. Martz will be recognized as the 2010 Tree Pioneer. During Tim’s 33-year career with the City of Wichita, he has worked from Gardener I to Superintendent of Park and Recreation. His favorite tree is the Chinese Pistache whose glorious autumn colors may be seen throughout the Wichita Parks and streets each fall. Tim takes great pride in the passion and professionalism of his staff that spend their lives in making Wichita a more beautiful place.

For more information, call Bob Neier at 660-0100 ext 0140