The City of Lake Worth’s annual Tree Festival in only thirteen (13) days away.

On Saturday, February 16th.

Just two days after
Valentine’s Day!

And there is a very important public meeting of the City’s Tree Board in preparation for this 14th annual event. Below is more information.

The Festival of Trees in mid-February ushers in the annual Festival Season here in this City followed by the Street Painting Festival and the Midnight Sun Festival and many others, both large and small.

Remember: The Tree Festival
in this City of Lake Worth
is Famly-Friendly!

All Famlies, big and small!

Whilst on the topic of trees and expert knowledge, have you ever visited Amelia’s SmartyPlants located at 1515 N. Dixie Hwy. in this City? Below is more information about this spectacular place.

Now back to the Tree Festival.

The City’s Tree Board coordinates this festival with City staff and they are always looking for volunteers, sponsors and vendors. If you have a special talent or skill and would like to help there are only one Tree Board meetings left to prepare: Valentine’s Day (February 14th).

Tree Board meetings are held the second Thursday of each month, 5:30, in the City Hall conference room.

Recently the Chair of the board, Mr. Richard Stowe, and the staff liaison from the Parks Dept, Mr. Dave McGrew, had an update on the progress of the 2019 Festival of Trees and discussions on coming up with a native tree list, lining up exhibitors and putting together a cadre of dedicated volunteers.

Once again. . .
Saturday, February 16th, 2019 will be
the 14th Annual Festival of Trees.

Here are images from previous festivals:

The Festival of Trees will open the 2019 Festival Season. The following weekend will be the 25th annual Street Painting Festival.

Amelia’s SmartyPlants is always one of the most popular sponsors and exhibits.

Always a serious topic at the Festival of Trees in February. The annual Hurricane Season begins on June 1st. So plant and plan accordingly.

Briefly, more information about SmartyPlants.

SmartyPlants is a true gem on N. Dixie Hwy. To take a virtual tour click on this link. Amelia’s SmartyPlants is open Tuesday–Friday from 9:00 a.m.–6:00, Saturday 8:30–5:30 and Sunday 10:00–5:00. Closed on Monday.

Who is SmartyPlants?

We are Paul Harding and Marta Edwards. We have created a 2-acre environmentally-conscious garden center and design service located in the heart of Lake Worth.
     Our address is 1515 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth — just south of West Palm Beach — we can be reached at 561-540-6296 or by email: info@ameliascapes.com


On the topic of tree one of the most popular local trees is the Mango. So popular every year this City hosts the Lake Worth International Mango Festival.


More information from the professionals at Amelia’s:


Most mango trees will grow larger than 30′, but the Julie, the Juliette, and the Nam Doc Mai are considered dwarf of semi-dwarf varieties (10–15′) that can be grown in a small yard or even in a container on a patio.

These are all delicious varieties that are sweet, juicy, and fiberless. Low nitrogen fertilizer is a good option for mango trees. Otherwise, too much growth is promoted on the tree itself thereby retarding the flowering and fruiting stages.

Now let’s take a short stroll down memory lane,
more information about trees and this City’s
all-volunteer Tree Board.

Do you remember when the City of Lake Worth, the City with a tree in its official logo, had an annual tree contest? It was a hugely popular and spirited challenge. Everyone got recognized except for those that wanted to feature a nasty tree like the invasive and dangerous Australian Pine which is now illegal in Florida to distribute without a permit.

Here is the news that appeared in the Post in 2005, thirteen years ago.

“Officials said they hope to make the
contest an annual event”.

“Lake Worth Tree Board winners”
by Post reporter Lady Hereford.

“Tall and short, flowering and spiky, majestic and just plain odd.”

“Anyone could nominate a tree, regardless of who owned the property . . . oddest tree category yielded two first-place winners: A strangler fig and a spiky Madagascar palm.”

Two-page spread, feature article in the Post,
August 10th, 2005.

Click on image to enlarge:

Would you like this contest to return? Have your voice heard: Consider attending the Tree Board meeting this Thursday at 5:30 in City Hall.

There is currently a vacancy on the Tree Board. Interested in becoming a volunteer board member? Then click on this link.

Back to the news published in the Post. . .

Other winners of the tree contest (by type) as reported thirteen years ago:

• Most Beautiful Flowering Tree: Royal poinciana.
• Most Useful Tree: Jaboticaba.
• Best Native Tree: Slash pine.
• Oddest Tree (tie): Madagascar palm and strangler fig.
• Historic Tree, Most Majestic Tree, Most Sheltering Tree, and Biggest Tree: Banyan.

What’s your favorite tree? Ever heard of
the native green buttonwood tree?

Then show up at Amelia’s SmartyPlants (closed every Monday) and learn more about the buttonwood and many other trees, plants and vegetation that are available at their facility located on N. Dixie Hwy.

Amelia’s is on the west side of Dixie. The entrance is off 15th Ave. North.