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Dentist, Library Giving Away Pine Saplings

SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF

Published: December 1, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - A local dentist continues to branch out with an annual giveaway of thousands of pine tree saplings to help area residents go green.

Dr. Garland Forbes said he believes in the importance of replenishing and preserving trees. The local endodontist specializes in root canal treatments at his offices on Madison Street in New Port Richey and in Spring Hill.

This is the third year Forbes has participated in Plant 1,000 Trees Before You Die, a program coordinated through the Florida Department of Agriculture. At first, Forbes simply gave trees to fellow dentists but then began distributing the seedlings to the public.

Last year 2,000 trees were given to the public to plant. The demand was so great the number of saplings was doubled this year.

The New Port Richey Public Library is joining the initiative this year.

Several thousand free trees will be given to the public from noon until 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, while supplies last outside the library at 5939 Main St.

The library is the site for a ceremony at 2 p.m. that day as well.

An A-list of local officials plan to be at the event. They include U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, state Sen. Mike Fasano, County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand, New Port Richey Mayor Dan Tipton and New Port Richey Councilwoman Marilynn deChant.

Michelle Kay, an area television news reporter, will serve as the emcee.

The public is invited to the 2 p.m. ceremony.

The tree giveaway dovetails with a global warming display the municipal library will put up early next week.

"The library has already gone green in its upstairs meeting rooms, so it's only fitting that we are a part of this project, too," Library Director Susan Dillinger said in a press release.

After the Dec. 7 event, another 1,000 trees will be distributed to Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay as a commemorative project that youngsters and their mentors can do together.

For more information go online to Forbes' Web site.

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