TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Keelung City Government celebrated Arbor Day by distributing 5,000 saplings to the public at Qidu Nursery on Tuesday.

Arbor Day is a secular day of observance where people are encouraged to plant trees. In Taiwan, the event is held annually on March 12 to commemorate the death of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙).

In Keelung, citizens were asked to bring three invoice receipts issued between January-February or March-April to qualify for one sapling, per UDN. To be eco-friendly, citizens were encouraged to bring reusable bags. 

Each person was limited to three saplings, with 26 types available. This year's saplings included species such as Formosa sweet gum, crape myrtle, mountain cherry, boxleaf Eugenia, evergreen ash, and mahogany.

Keelung's economics department said the nursery annually cultivates 35,000 saplings to promote conservation, biodiversity, and urban greening. From Oct. 1 to May 31, it provides municipal agencies, schools, and communities with saplings for urban greening.

The department also holds health inspections of listed older trees. During annual events such as Arbor Day and activities associated with tree planting month, it organizes sapling exchange activities to encourage the public to plant trees.

In addition to distributing free saplings, nursery staff taught the public planting techniques and tips on caring for trees and flowers. As in previous years, there was a long line of people in the morning for collection.