Arboretum Expo: Tree Day! + Plant Sale

Arboretum Expo Kick-off Event: Music Among the Trees

Join us for a spectacular night of music from two unique artists! Double Bill Cultural Music Event!

Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
Time: 7 PM (doors at 6:30 PM)
OAC Centennial Arboretum Centre, Guelph
Tickets available on Eventbrite: $20 All included!

Artists:
Zubayeer Swani - Swani is an award-winning South Asian classical musician. His performance, “Songs Beneath the Open Sky,” will demonstrate the timeless beauty of Ghazals and Bengali Classics, with inspiration drawn from nature.

Fron Reilly - Reilly is an inventor of musical instruments and the creator of his newest, newsworthy instrument, the fron2. His performance will demonstrate the mesmerizing sounds of his new design!

This event supports the annual Arboretum Expo, celebrating nature, people, and the connections that bring them together.

Saturday, September 6th, 2025 - Arboretum Expo: Tree Day + Plant Sale

A community celebration of trees and the many exciting things happening in the Arboretum lands! Join us for tours of the grounds, trails, gardens, research projects, tree climbing demonstrations, and an in-person plant sale. Take home an interesting woody plant, grown in the Arboretum greenhouse and tended to by our dedicated staff and volunteers.

Check out the plants that will be available at our plant sale here!

The Arboretum Expo will be held on the West Lawn, the Park and in The Arboretum Centre, with announcements and performances at the Gazebo

Gazebo Events and Performances
10:00 AM	Opening and Land Acknowledgment	Join us in welcoming our guests, explaining event details, and thanking our generous sponsors of the event.
11:00 AM	Professor Pricklethorn	Learn to see trees through the Professor’s eyes and his green-coloured lenses and you will see the environment around you in a very different way. Trees are not just outdoor furniture for us to use. If we learn to respect and care for trees then they can help us and the global environment in countless ways. Professor Pricklethorn wants to help teachers, parents, and children learn how to make the connection between science and everyday life by learning about the many good things that trees do for us every single day.
11:45 AM	Mr. J and the Groovy Gang	Mr. J and the Groovy Gang are a Family Friendly band for everyone. Founded by Mr. J, long time elementary teacher, this band is creating amazing community and art in Children's Music. Join us for an amazing LIVE show with dynamic and exciting performances. Excellent song selection with a message of friendship, love and kindness.
1:00 PM	GUFF Henry Kock Tree Stewardship Award	Henry Kock Stewardship Award- Henry was known for his dedication to growing, protecting and advocating for trees and their natural environment. In his work at the Arb, he developed many programs including the Elm Recovery Program. Henry was cherished for his wisdom, integrity and mentorship, and each year we honour another member of our community who embodies these characteristics in their stewardship of our trees. Join us for the announcement of the 2025 winner and presentation of the Award Certificate.
1:15 PM	Tree Climbing Demonstration	Join a certified arborist and tree worker as they showcase different climbing techniques, highlighting the importance of these practices in maintaining healthy ecosystems!
2:00 PM	Elderly Brothers Garage Band	Join us for a live musical performance of the Elderly Brothers Garage Band! A little bit classic country and a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll. We’ll have you leaving with a smile on your face and a tune in your heart.

All Day Booths and Activities (10am to 3pm) in the Arboretum Centre / West Lawn
The Arboretum Plant Sale	The Arboretum Naturalists Table
Guelph Wellington Master Gardeners	The Guelph Hiking Trail Club
Honey Bee Education & Honey Sales	Guelph Urban Forest Friends (GUFF)
Yorklands Greenhub	Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming (GCUOF)
City of Guelph Healthy Landscapes	Wildlife Preservation Canada
Nokom's House	BIPOC Gear Library
Tree Trust	Forest History Ontario
Pollination Guelph	The Guelph Public Library Bookmobile
Seniors for Climate Action Now	Third Beaver Scouts
Nature Guelph	Reep Green Solutions
Roots and Shoots	Guelph Coalition for Active Transport (GCAT)
Guelph Holzkünste	Urban Park Guelph
Graduate Students Association	Manor Landscaping and Property Maintenance
The Delta Marriot	Fo Cheezy
Lost Aviator	Unicorn Scoops

Tours and Demonstrations (departure time from the West Lawn)
10:30 AM	Kids Hike	Chris Earley
11:00 AM	Tree Conservation Tour	Alison Morrison
11:30 AM	Guelph Trial Garden Tour	Rodger Tschanz and Chris Earley
12:00 PM	Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming Tour	Jo Langlois and Mike Smith
12:30 PM	Tree Ecology Hike	Christa Wise
1:30 PM	Honeybee Research Centre Tour	Shannon Lam
2:00 PM	Plant Gall Hike	Jo Langlois
2:30 PM	Gosling Wildlife Garden Tour	Nature Guelph