Tree Week
Tree Week
Tree Week is Kentucky's premier annual celebration of urban and community forestry. Since 2018, communities across the state have come together each October to honor trees and explore their essential contributions to healthy, vibrant communities.
Through diverse programming â including tree plantings, educational workshops, nature walks, art events, and volunteer activities â Tree Week connects Kentuckians with the natural world around them and demonstrates the tangible benefits trees provide.
Here at Urban Forest Initiative, we coordinate Tree Week at the University of Kentucky and at the state level. We equip communities with planning resources, promotional support, and networking opportunities. We assist municipalities, organizations, and community groups in developing impactful local events, whether they're organizing their inaugural Tree Week or expanding on established traditions.
Read below about recent Tree Weeks and check back for information about getting involved in Tree Week 2026!
Tree Week 2025
A Record-Breaking Year for Kentucky's Urban and Community Forests
Tree Week 2025 was our most successful celebration yet, bringing together communities from across the Commonwealth in an unprecedented show of support for Kentucky's urban and community forests.
By the Numbers
This year, volunteers hosted more than 260 events in 23 communities to celebrate trees and green spaces. In 2025, Kentuckians demonstrated their commitment to urban forestry like never before.
Communities large and small across the Commonwealth joined the movement, from Paducah to Hazard, Newport to Somerset, and everywhere in between.
Looking Ahead
The enthusiasm from this year's hosts speaks volumes: 93% said they're "likely" or "very likely" to host an event for Tree Week 2026!
To build on this momentum, we're focusing on:
- Beginning planning earlier to give communities more preparation time
- Increasing early advertising to maximize participation
- Engaging Kâ12 schools while working around fall break schedules to involve the next generation of tree stewards
Tree Week Kentucky continues to grow because of dedicated hosts, engaged communities, and Kentuckians who understand that healthy urban and community forests create healthier, more vibrant places to live, work, and play.
Ready to join us for Tree Week 2026? Stay tuned for more information in the weeks and months to come.
Tree Week 2025 Registered Events
Below is a map of all the officially registered Tree Week 2025 events across the state.
Here are some tips for using the map:
- Zoomed out, the map shows the number of events in a given region. Zoom in and you'll see individual events.
- Click on event icons to see details for that event.
- Use the "Filter by date" option to show events for specific day(s) of Tree Week.
Events included: UK Horticulture Club Tree Week Planting Sale, Arbor Day Celebration at The Arboretum, What the First Euro-American Settlers Saw: Important Trees of the Bluegrass, Tree Health Scavenger Hunt, Tree Trivia, Gardening with Trees, UFI x UK Grounds Tree Week 2025 Signature Tree Planting, Tree Week Webinar Series, Campus Tree ID, Forest Bugs & Brews, Fruit Tree Orchard Installation and more.
Host Feedback
Keys to This Year's Success
- Tree Week events incorporated into established community events
- Social media posts key to strong attendance
- Utilizing momentum of previous year's events
Past Tree Weeks
