Lake Avondale. Source: Avondaleestates.org

Decatur and Avondale Estates will observe Arbor Day on Friday, Feb. 19.

Decatur is inviting the community to participate in tree planting and maintenance. The city said on its blog, The Decatur Minute, participants should meet at 9 a.m. at the Decatur Cemetery Office.

“Individuals and groups are welcome. Come help Decatur grow a stronger and healthier tree canopy and celebrate Arbor Day at the same time,” the blog post said.

The city’s arborist, India Woodson is the contact for any questions. Decaturish profiled her in 2014 when she had just started the job.

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Avondale Estates is inviting the community to celebrate Arbor Day “and the City’s 32nd year as a Tree City” at 1 p.m. at 22 Dartmouth Ave., according to a city email.

“Avondale Estates is one of the few tree cities in DeKalb County and one of the first tree cities in the state of Georgia. The Avondale Estates Garden Club has once again donated funds for the purchase of a memorial tree,” the email said.

And just in time for the tree celebration, the Arbor Day Foundation has named Agnes Scott College in Decatur a 2015 Tree Campus USA.

A press release from the school said the award is “for the college’s commitment to effective urban forest management.” This is the fourth consecutive year the college has received the recognition.

There are 254 campuses across the U.S. that have earned this recognition, according to the press release.

The Arbor Day Foundation says National Arbor Day is always celebrated on the last Friday in April, “but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates throughout the year based on best tree planting times in their area.”

Georgia Arbor Day is the third Friday in February. Fun fact for trivia night – the state tree is the live oak.