What kind of tree should I plant?

1. Research: Make sure the type of tree is compatible with your wants and needs.
2. Moisture: Check the drainage pattern of the planting site.
3. Light: Determine how many hours of direct sunlight the planting site receives.
4. Space: Consider the amount of space available, both above and around, the planting site.
5. Temperature: Choose trees that are appropriate for your Hardiness Zone.

Where can I get free trees?

• Simpsonville Public Works, 110 Woodside Park Dr., Simpsonville | Saturday, April 1 | 9-11 a.m.
• Bonus: Greenville City Hall, 206 S. Main St., Greenville | Saturday, April 1 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | #PlantGVL is hosting its own tree giveaway at the iMAGINE Upstate festival.

• Tyger River Park | 179 Dillard Rd., Duncan | Saturday, April 8 | 9-11 a.m.

• Flying Rabbit Adventures | 821 Laurens Rd., Greenville | Saturday, April 22 | 9-11 a.m.

• Downtown Inman | 7 Bishop St., Inman | Saturday, April 29 | 9-11 a.m.

• Duke World of Energy | 7812 Rochester Hwy., Seneca | Saturday, May 6 | 9-11 a.m.

• Elevate 2023 | Friday, Mar. 31 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Gunter Theatre at the Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville | $45-$65 | The Fine Arts Center — Greenville County’s public high school for the creative, performing, and visual arts — presents its second annual showcase, “Elevate 2023.”
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Friday, March 31-Saturday, April 1 | Times vary | Paper Moon Studios, 2415 Old Buncombe Rd., Greenville | $20 | Dress as your favorite “Rocky Horror Picture Show” character and catch this cult classic in Paper Moon Studios’ newly renovated theatre.

• iMAGINE Upstate Festival | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Downtown Greenville, 206 S. Main St., Greenville | Free | Experience STEAM in the Streets with hands-on learning, interactive activities and live demonstrations from more than 75 exhibitors.
• Pop-Up Author Andrea Coates | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | M. Judson Booksellers, 130 S. Main St., Ste. 200, Greenville | Free | Greenville author Andrea Coates discusses her new children’s book, “Imani Visits the Zoo” — a story about the importance of remembering how exceptional every child is.
• Hamilton Townes Home Tour | Saturday, April 1 | 1-4 p.m. | Hamilton Townes at Verdae, Parallel Pkwy and Green Heron Rd., Greenville | Free | Stop by for free hot dogs, a quick tour, and a chance to win tickets to a Greenville Drive opening week game — $15,000 in flex cash is available on select sites.*

• Strange Orchard Sunday | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 4-6 p.m. | Fireforge Crafted Beer, 311 E. Washington St., Greenville | Free entry | Enjoy craft beer and listen to local band Strange Orchard in the taproom.
• Fourth Annual Upstate Music Awards | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 7 p.m. | Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville | Free | Enjoy an evening of awards that shines a spotlight on the creative talent found all around the 864, featuring curated performances from past and present nominees and finalists.

• UNMASKED: A Contemporary Print Collective Exhibition | Monday, Apr. 3-Friday, Apr. 28 | 1:30-4:30 p.m. | SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, 15 University St., Greenville | Free | This exhibition features self-portraits by members of the Contemporary Print Collective.

• CATS | Tuesday, Apr. 4-Sunday, Apr. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville | $35-$95 | Winner of seven Tony Awards, “CATS” tells the story of one magical night when a tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn.

• Full Moon Circle Sound Bath Meditation | Wednesday, Apr. 5 | 6-7 p.m. | Raven & Moon, 413 SE Main St., Simpsonville | Free | Welcome the full moon and find your zen at this circle and sound bath meditation — bring blankets, mats, pillows, and anything that makes you feel comfortable.

• Major Bunny’s Scav-egg-er Hunt
• Easter Brunch Buffet in Blue Ridge
• Holiday Craft Party
• Cookie Decorating*

• American Tacos is now open at Warehouse at Midtown on Laurens Road. The food hall’s new concept serves a variety of tacos (think: brisket, Philly steak, and shrimp). Order up a taco or two Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Upstate Business Journal)

• Ajay’s Social and Cocktail Lounge could fill the former Parsley & Mint Downtown on Falls Park Drive. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, Ajay’s “hopes to provide networking opportunities and events for professionals in the Greenville area.” Its application goes before the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday, April 13. (Upstate Business Journal)
• NY-based Motor Oil Coffee is opening its first SC location tomorrow, Saturday, April 1, inside Westside Market at 3510 Augusta Rd. The brand’s fourth location (with three in NY) will offer a variety of coffee blends, including espresso, decaf, and Guatemalan. (Upstate Business Journal)

• No. 3. That’s where Greenville landed on Travel and Leisure’s list, “10 Most Beautiful and Affordable Places to Live in the US.” The publication says, “With its newly revived downtown area, Greenville has seen a growth in its allure to prospective residents.”

• Piedmont’s Golden Grove Farm & Brew was named on the Men’s Journal list, “8 Craft Breweries With the Coolest On-site Games.” The author lauds the Upstate brewery’s “nine-hole disc golf course spread over 10 acres.”
• What do Martha Stewart, Etsy, and Greenville have in common? Hollowed Earth Pottery. The local ceramics studio’s small bowl was featured on the star’s Instagram. Owners Mark and Sarah Batory said, “We had been working with Etsy on a confidential project for a few months now but we had no idea it involved Martha Stewart.”

• Miracle Hill Ministries, a nonprofit that offers services to individuals in the community experiencing homelessness, has published its first book: “Isabelle’s Invisible Neighbor.” The children’s book was written by the nonprofit’s grant writer, Sandy Furnell. (WSPA)

• 100. That’s how many early-stage companies Venture South has invested in. Darby, a healthcare technology startup in Greenville, marks the firm’s one hundredth investment. In a press release, Venture South’s Co-Founder and Managing Director Matt Dunbar said, “We are delighted to reach this ‘first century’ milestone…”
• 160. That’s how many electric school buses Greenville County Schools purchased and will deploy over the next year — “the current single largest order funded entirely by the EPA’s new Clean School Bus program.” (Greenville Journal)

• Did you know? Preventive care is the best way to avoid disease. In this ~4-minute listen, Dr. Skip Schumann of MUSC Health talks about the specifics of keeping up with preventive health care for men.*

• The Branch at Greer High, Greenville Federal Credit Union’s second student-run high school branch, is planned to open in August 2023. Learn more about this innovative investment in our community.*

• An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.