The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees

• ​​April 27, 2025: From centuries-old oaks to towering pines, our walking tours with the Historic Wilmington Foundation are a journey through time—and a reminder of why our trees matter now more than ever. We explored the living history rooted in our city’s oaks, pines, magnolias, cedars, and cypresses—discovering not just their past, but the vital role they play in our community’s health and resilience today.

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• April 26, 2025: We celebrated the Wilmington Earth Day Festival at Long Leaf Park the best way we know how: by growing the future! Under the towering pines, we gave away more than 300 longleaf seedlings to help grow our canopy and enrich our environment.

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• April 26, 2025: Work on Wilmington (WOW) volunteers tended to the historic Pine Forest Cemetery, where the Alliance planted 124 trees in 2022 to honor victims of the 1898 coup d’état and massacre. We are committed to stewarding this sacred place, and are grateful for the helping hands that landscaped, painted the bathroom and shed, and cleaned headstones for Work on Wilmington.

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• March 15, 2025: We planted 54 street trees to increase our urban tree canopy, focusing on disadvantaged areas to ensure everyone in our community receives the health, environmental, and economic benefits that trees provide. This project was funded by Landfall Foundation and NC Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association (EMGVA).

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• February 23, 2025: We planted 16 native trees (Southern live oaks, Little Gem magnolias, and Fosters hollies) to beautify Haven Place, the newest housing development by Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity. Click here to watch a WECT news report. Thank you to Audi Cape Fear for sponsoring this project!

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• ​​​​​January 15, 2025: ACFT's Community Meeting for Cape Fear Trees was designed to educate the public on local rules and regulations for development, and what you can do to help ensure that the unique character of the Lower Cape Fear area is protected and preserved. Click here to watch a WECT news report.
   

• ​November 10, 2024 - We planted a variety of oaks (75 total) at the new "Fearless Forest" Reclamation Project located at the New Hanover County Landfill. These trees will restore and enhance a charming area next to a pond in an old sand mine. Thank you to Audi Cape Fear for sponsoring this event and to the Plastic Ocean Project for their partnership!

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• November 2, 2024: Funded by International Paper and the Arbor Day Foundation,​ ACFT gave away 900 trees at Riegelwood Baptist Church in Riegelwood, NC. 

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• March 24 & April 28, 2024: In cooperation with the Historic Wilmington Foundation and the Wilmington Tree Commission, we held two heritage tree tours this spring to celebrate both NC and National Arbor days. We visited a number of impressive trees downtown and discussed the science and history behind them.

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• March 9, 2024​: We gave away 600​ trees at Legion Stadium in monsoon conditions! Funded by HSB through the Arbor Day Foundation with the help of the City of Wilmington​. Click here to check out photos from the event.

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• February 10, 2024: We planted 123 trees in the Southside area around Robert Strange Pool. ACFT's largest tree planting to date, the project was funded by grants from the Landfall Foundation, NC Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association (EMGVA), and Truist Financial (through the Arbor Day Foundation) with the help of the City of Wilmington. Click here to check out photos from the event.

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• January 27, 2024:​ Funded by Truist Financial through the Arbor Day Foundation with the help of the City of Wilmington, 500 trees were distributed in the Southside neighborhood from Robert Strange Pool. 

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• December 2, 2023: ACFT's staff and volunteers planted 71 trees in the Southside area, around Jervay Communities down to Greenfield Street. Funded by Truist Financial through the Arbor Day Foundation with help from the City of Wilmington. Thank you St. Andrews AME Zion Church and Reverend Smith for hosting! 

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• November 18, 2023: Funded by Truist Financial through the Arbor Day Foundation with the help of the City of Wilmington, ACFT distributed 700 trees from Legion Stadium.

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• November 11, 20203: Commemorating the 125th anniversary of the 1898 Wilmington massacre and coup d'état, ACFT planted 25 street trees in the neighborhood surrounding Saint Luke AME Zion Church. This event was made possible with funding from Truist Financial through the Arbor Day Foundation and with the help of the City of Wilmington. Thank you Saint Luke AME Zion Church and Pastor Armour for hosting!