Once, in an outdoor ecology class, I asked my professor, who was introducing the class to a tree, what the tree was good for. It was crass, though I didn’t mean it that way. The professor glared at me momentarily before explaining that we should avoid focusing on how humans can use trees—they have intrinsic value in and of themselves. It's a lesson I took to heart.

On Florida Arbor Day, which falls on Friday, Jan. 20, we can all enjoy the beauty of native trees while learning more about each one. UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County’s Residential Horticulture Program is hosting a community-wide scavenger hunt called TreeQuest.

Participants can explore Emerson Point Preserve, Conservatory Park, The Nest at Robinson Preserve, and downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk while searching for trees with a TreeQuest tag. Once found, they can scan the QR code on the tag to open an online survey, where they'll be asked to enter information about the tree and register an email address for the chance to win prizes.

In addition to the QR code, each tag will have information about the specific tree including its common name, scientific name and environmental impact. The goal is to encourage residents to get outside and enjoy local parks while learning about tree species native to Florida and their benefits.

For deeper reflection on this Arbor Day, why not read one of the millions of books that have inspired authors to focus on either the branches, the roots, the history or the soil itself? A short list includes Finding the Mother Tree by Susan Simard, The Overstory by Richard Powers or even David Byrne’s Arboretum. Or you can get to the heart of the matter with Camille T. Dungy’s Soil or Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass.