The UT Arboretum Society’s monthly Third Saturday Hike for October will be held October 19 at the UT Arboretum at 9:00 a.m. The signs of fall are everywhere with color changes appearing on dogwoods, beauty berry and viburnums.

Meet at the UT Arboretum Visitors Center, 901 S. Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge at 9:00 a.m. Please wear clothes appropriate to the weather and boots or good shoes for outdoor walking. Hikes will be varied in intensity level, and the route may be changed due to weather conditions or leader’s choice. These hikes are designed to be suitable for all, but the difficulty level of the hike is dependent on individual fitness. Be sure to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated at you
hike. This hike will be led by a volunteer familiar with the UT Arboretum and the trail system. No pets, please.

After the hike, feel free to visit the UT Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale from until 2:00 p.m. Fall is the ideal time to add plants to your landscape because of milder temperatures and more dependable rainfall. In addition, the fact that plants are not putting energy into their top growth but devoting all their resources to developing a strong root system will give them a head start in the spring and a much better survival rate. East Fork Nursery, Riverdale Nursery, Tennessee Naturescapes as well as the UT Arboretum Society will be offering quality plants at this sale. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for payment.

The hike is a free program offered by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society. No registration is required. To learn more about this hike or the UT Arboretum Society, go to www.utarboretumsociety.org. For more information on the program, call 865-483-7277.

Photo credit to Jim Harless.