NC Arbor Day Tree Planting at Eden Village 

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 several members of the Cape Fear Garden Club “Arbor Day” and “Gardening for Wildlife” committees braved wet conditions to plant seven native trees at Eden Village.  The planting of these trees served as both the recognition of North Carolina Arbor day that is celebrated in the month of March and as one of many requirements needed to certify the city of Wilmington as a wildlife community. 

The location of where we planted trees, Eden Village of Wilmington, is a community specially designed to provide permanent homes for chronically homeless individuals.  Just as Eden Village is providing homes and other essential needs for our human residents, the trees planted will be providing food, water, cover, or places for our wildlife to raise their young.  Because the trees planted are native they will provide a greater abundance of essentials needed for wildlife to thrive as opposed to nonnative trees.

Listed below are just some of the many benefits that the native trees that were planted will provide for local wildlife:

The flower nectar of the Brandywine Red Maple tree attracts bees and other pollinators, the seeds are enjoyed by birds and the “fruit” buds are a food source for squirrels.

The fruits on the Serviceberry tree are attractive to birds and native bees. Over 120 species of Lepidoptera (caterpillars that turn into butterflies or moths) also feed on the tree.  The River Birch tree is a host plant for many butterflies including the Mourning Cloak, Dreamy Duskywing; the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. The seeds are consumed by small birds and squirrels. The Swamp White Oak tree value to wildlife is high. The acorns are eaten by woodpeckers, blue jays; small mammals. This oak tree also supports a wide variety of moths, butterflies and insects (feed to birds). 

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