Iowa Arboretum's Annual Arbor Day celebration 2023 draws crowds

Alivia Smith, 11, climbs to the top of this Japanese larch, Larix kaempferi, known as a 'Blue Rabbit,' on the Iowa Arboretum grounds approximately eight miles southwest of Ames. The Iowa Arboretum held it's annual Arbor Day celebration Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Alivia Smith, 11, climbed to the top of a Japanese larch, Larix kaempferi, known as a 'Blue Rabbit,' on the Iowa Arboretum grounds approximately eight miles southwest of Ames. Arborist Adam Van Egmond, owner of Adam the Arborist in Ogden, manned the counter-weight of Smith's harness. The Iowa Arboretum held it's annual Arbor Day celebration Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Maverick Rock, 6, of Ames takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn and father to Maverick. Jim and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Maverick Rock, 6, of Ames takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn and father to Maverick. Jim and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Maverick Rock, 6, of Ames takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn and father to Maverick. Jim and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Maverick Rock, 6, of Ames takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn and father to Maverick. Jim and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Maverick Rock, 6, of Ames takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn and father to Maverick. Jim and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Asher Hoard, 13, of Ogden takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn Service. Rock and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Asher Hoard, 13, of Ogden takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn Service. Rock and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Asher Hoard, 13, of Ogden takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn Service. Rock and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Asher Hoard, 13, of Ogden takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn Service. Rock and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Asher Hoard, 13, of Ogden takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn Service. Rock and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

Asher Hoard, 13, of Ogden takes a swing out over the pond on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum. Sending him off on his swing is Jim Rock, owner of Ames Story Tree and Lawn Service. Rock and several of his crew help with the Iowa Arboretum Annual Arbor Day Celebration most years.

President and CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and the Ames Economic Development Commission was honored at this year's annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Iowa Arboretum with the planting of a Wildfire Black Gum, Nyssa sylvatica, tree on Saturday, April 29, 2023.