Cyclists participating in the Tour des Trees bike ride will plant a tree at Depot Trailhead Park in Big Rapids on Tuesday, Aug. 12, as part of their five-day, 430-mile journey across northwest Michigan.

The tree planting marks the start of the riders’ second day, beginning at about 8:10 a.m. with a traditional dedication ceremony. From Big Rapids, the group will head north on the White Pine Trail, ending the day in Traverse City. The public is invited to attend the event and greet the riders.

The cyclists, in collaboration with city officials, selected a Red Fort McNair chestnut for the planting. The Tour des Trees, a fundraiser and outreach event for the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), promotes tree research and proper urban tree care through tree plantings and community events. The TREE Fund, a nonprofit, supports grants and scholarships for arborists and urban foresters.

This year’s ride, which starts and ends in Grand Rapids and passes through Big Rapids, Traverse City, Manistee, and Whitehall, has attracted 63 riders from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

For more information on the route and events, visit www.treefund.org.

_{Release and logo courtesy of Tour de Trees.}