Photo: The Darlington High School football team assisted with the tree planting efforts on Blue St.

City of Darlington Planting 265 Trees to Improve Beautification and Tree Canopy

DARLINGTON, S.C. (Nov. 25, 2025) – The City of Darlington and the Green Infrastructure Center, Inc. are planting approximately 265 trees throughout the city limits to boost beautification and build upon an already stout tree canopy.

The new trees that will be planted will significantly improve the beauty of the city and will also increase cooling effects, stormwater retention, improve air quality as the trees grow and the canopies mature, increase in the removal of air pollutants, soil stabilization and more. Currently, the trees are in the process of being planted at A Squared Investments Sports Complex on Blue St., the Housing Authority of Darlington, Bowen Manor Park located on Old Florence Highway and the plot of land next to Subway on Pearl St.

“Trees play a vital role in the City of Darlington,” said Mayor Curtis Boyd. “Darlington is known for its large Darlington Oaks, Williamson Park and other beautiful characteristics, and this effort will just add to our beautiful city. We’re the Pearl of the Pee Dee, so we must continue to build upon that effort.”

Species being planted include Red Maple, Red Oak, White Oak, Tuliptree, Magnolia, Dawn Redwood, Princeton Elm, Live Oak, Bald Cypress, Eastern Redbud, Chinese Pistache, Tupelo and Sugar Maple. In addition, 130 trees were distributed to city residents through three public tree giveaway events held in 2024 and 2025.

“The Darlington Area Recreation Department really appreciates the support from everyone who made this project a reality,” said Lee Andrews, Darlington County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director. “Darlington High School’s football team, National Honor Society and Early College students have helped plant the trees. We are excited to see the finished project. You can already see a big difference in some areas.”

The effort is being made possible thanks to the comprehensive program, Trees 4SC!, which is a partnership between the Green Infrastructure Center, Inc. and the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC). The project is being federally funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA supports community and urban forestry related activities in municipalities across all 50 states.

“Darlington’s community forests are increasingly under pressure from tree loss and removals due to storms, disease, insect issues and a rapidly changing climate,” said Tom Knowles, Community Forester for South Carolina Green Infrastructure Center, Inc. “The Trees 4SC! grant program gives Darlington’s trees a boost through an increase of public awareness and information, which may improve the health of Darlington’s trees and offers improvements in the overall tree canopy through new tree plantings, which helps offset tree lost to these urban pressures.”

The City of Darlington was selected and awarded a two-year grant for 2024-2025. The city has received detailed data and mapping, which identifies the city’s tree canopy and all associated benefits. Measurements include tree canopy coverage, stormwater, heat mitigation, air and water ecosystem benefits and tree planting in appropriate parts of the city. A final Strategic Tree Canopy Report will be delivered to the City by the end of 2025.

For more information on the City of Darlington, visit cityofdarlington.com or call 843-398-4000.