Sunday, April 21st

The Big Tree Hunt
Sands Point Museum and Preserve
127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point
516-571-7901
10am–4pm
Search the grounds of the beautiful Guggenheim Preserve for the widest tree trunks. You can begin anytime between 9am and 4pm and go at your own pace. Upon arrival, stop at the Phil Dejana Learning Center where you can view wildlife exhibits on display and pick up your list of clues. Then set out on the estate to find the biggest trees around.

Saturday, April 27th

Garlic Mustard Pull
Garvies Point Museum and Preserve
50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove
9:30am–3pm
Help museum staff members remove the non-native invasive species garlic mustard from the preserve's grounds in an ongoing effort to protect native plants and wildflowers. Volunteers are welcome throughout the day and will be taught how to identify native and non-native plants as well as removal techniques. Please bring work gloves and clippers if you have them. Light snacks and water will be provided, but volunteers should pack a bag lunch. The museum will also be showing the film Eyewitness: Plant (35 mins.) at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. 

Sunday, April 28

A Tree-Mendous Celebration!
Old Westbury Gardens
71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury
10am–3pm
Free with admission
Old Westbury Gardens is hosting a fun-filled day celebrating one of Earth's greatest treasures, the tree. Families can participate in drop-in craft activities from 10am to 3pm and a 2pm family nature walk to understand the basics of tree biology and how trees influence our everyday lives. From 10am to 11am families are encouraged to participate in the Crazy Crayons Initiative, which will turn old crayons into new ones, as more than 61,000 pounds of crayons annually fill our landfills. Arrive early and receive one free admission when you donate a box of used Crayola or American-brand crayons. Call 516-333-0048 for more information.

Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28

Arbor Day Festival
Planting Fields Arboretum
1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay
My family and I have been going to this festival for a few years now and have enjoyed every minute. Admission is per car load, so pack the family, friends, and Grandma in the minivan and head over. There are no additional fees once inside, except for food and beverages available at Periwinkles cafe. The festival includes live musical performances by Pete Moss and the Fertilizers, a doggie entertainment show by Mutts Gone Nuts, tree climbing, petting zoo, plant clinics, wildlife shows by the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary, and new this year, visitors can see the new exhibit All Aboard! A Railway Fortune at Planting Fields.

Heckscher Spring Festival
Field 1, Heckscher Pkwy, East Islip
11am–4pm
All ages
Free admission; parking $8
A fun and educational day is in store for kids of all ages at Heckscher State Park. Kids can saddle up for pony rides and even visit with other live animals. Kids can participate in a spring seed-planting craft and pay a visit to local clubs and organizations represented there to continue the Earth Day 2013 celebration and educate Long Islanders on environmental issues and initiatives. Call 631-581-2100 for more information.

In the spirit of Arbor Day, consider creating your own scavenger hunt and take your family for a day of exploration at one of Long Island’s beautiful arboretums. The arboretums’ websites will feature names and photos of many of the trees you can expect to see during your visit. Give younger children a photo of a unique tree  from a website with the goal of spotting it during your visit, and give older children a list that they will need to check off when reading the signs that name tree type and species.

LIU Post Community Arboretum is a magnificent 40-acre tract of native trees and nature trails that features more than 125 trees, some very rare. Self-guided walking tours begin at Hillwood Commons and last 30 to 45 minutes. Hofstra University Arboretum is home to more than 12,000 evergreen and deciduous trees that represent more than 625 different species and varieties. Bailey Arboretum in Lattingtown has more than 40 acres of woods and  has a designated Children’s Habitat for children to explore. Bailey Arboretum allows picnicking, so pack a lunch and enjoy all the beauty the grounds have to offer. Adelphi University Arboretum has more than 60 species of trees and shrubs all maintained with 100 percent natural, organic techniques. Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s collection of fir, spruce, pine, cypress, hemlock, yew, and other lesser-known conifers is one of the most extensive found on Long Island. There are several trees at Bayard that are the largest of their species regionally. Picnicking is not allowed at Bayard, but visit the Hidden Oak Café for a light lunch. Click here for fees and more information.

Check the websites of each arboretum before visiting for hours, fees, restrictions, and printable maps.