The Bismarck Forestry Division will host a community recognition program and ceremonial tree planting Friday, May 2, at 1 PM, at Custer Park (320 West Custer Park Street) in Bismarck. The public is welcome and invited to attend. The 2025 Arbor Day theme is “Branch Out and Make a Difference”.
Each year a ceremonial Arbor Day tree is dedicated to a local citizen whose efforts have made a significant contribution to Bismarck’s urban forest. The 2025 ceremonial tree planting will be dedicated in recognition of Stan Churchill for his dedicated service on the Forestry Advisory Board and his tree service in Bismarck. Though Stan passed in 2023, his love and passion for trees will be enjoyed by the citizens of Bismarck for generations to come.
The Arbor Day Ceremony will also include Apple Seed Awards presented for 2024 landscape beautification efforts on public property, a Beautification Award for 2024 landscape beautification efforts on private property, and recognition of 2024 Partners in Planting program sponsors. Bismarck will also be celebrating 48 years as a Tree City USA.
Bismarck Mayor Mike Schmitz will be in attendance to read the Arbor Day Proclamation and give welcoming remarks. Dorothy Moses Grade School fourth grade classes and St. Mary’s Grade School third grade classes will be present and give Arbor Day presentations. The tree planting will take place at the close of the program, weather permitting.
In addition, on April 29 a Plant a Tree with Scheels event will take place from 3 PM to 6 PM in which the first 100 families will receive a free evergreen seedling in honor of Arbor Day.
For more information about Arbor Day, the City of Bismarck’s urban forest and the value of trees, visit the Forestry Division's section of our website or call 701-355-1700 and select option 3.