Planting For the Future returns to Reading Town Forest
(2-3 minute read)
Residents are invited to celebrate Arbor Day and give back to a cherished community resource as Planting For the Future returns to the Reading Town Forest on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
This year’s event marks the 96th anniversary of the Reading Town Forest, with organizers aiming to plant 500 trees - and they’re calling on the community to make it happen.
Key details
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Location: Reading Town Forest
Meeting point: Enter via Strout Ave (Compost Center)
Parking: Available at the Compost Center
Register by selecting a time slot below.
Available time slots:
A community effort
The event is organized by the Town Forest Committee, Department of Public Works, Reading Public Library, and Scout Troop 702, continuing a long-standing tradition of community stewardship.
Native trees with lasting impact
This year’s planting will feature five native North American species:
White Oak (Quercus alba)
River Birch (Betula nigra)
American Plum (Prunus americana)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Each species was selected for its ecological value and resilience, supporting wildlife habitat, improving biodiversity, and enhanding the forest’s beauty for generations to come.
Continuing a 96-year legacy
As the Town Forest celebrates nearly a century of community care, Planting For the Future serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished when residents come together.
Choose a time slot, registration opened April 6, and be part of this year’s effort to grow Reading’s Town Forest.
Flyer by the Reading Public Library.
