Arlington Plants 2,100th Tree, Buries Time Capsule
City leaders marked the 150th anniversary with a tree dedication on Texas Arbor Day and a time capsule set to open in 2126.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Civic
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Arlington leaders dedicated a time capsule and planted a 150th anniversary tree on Texas Arbor Day, Friday, November 6, 2026. The city has planted 2,100 trees this year, well above its goal of 150 per month.
Why it matters
The anniversary effort reflects the city's aim to leave a message from its current population to future residents of Arlington. The tree planting also reflects the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department's push to expand urban canopy across the city.
The city planted 2,100 trees by early November against a monthly goal of 150, and the 2,100th is a 96-gallon chinquapin oak in Rotary Dream Park. Whether the planting pace continues after the anniversary year was not stated.
The players
Arlington Parks, Recreation & Culture Department
The municipal department led the anniversary tree-planting initiative and set the monthly planting goal of 150 trees.
The details
Arlington leaders planted a tree on Texas Arbor Day and buried a time capsule near it, to be opened in 2126. The city also plans to include moments from the ceremony and a community cookbook expected by early December.
Timeline
January 2026: Parks department set a goal of planting 150 trees per month.
Friday, November 6, 2026: Leaders planted the anniversary tree and dedicated the time capsule on Texas Arbor Day.
Early November 2026: The city reached 2,100 trees planted.
Beginning of December 2026: A community cookbook is expected to be ready.
2126: The time capsule is scheduled to be opened.
Civic Roots
Arlington's planting ties its 150th anniversary to Texas Arbor Day, the state observance for tree planting. The city's push to plant 2,100 trees this year is an effort to expand its canopy as the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex grows around it.
Residents can see the anniversary tree at Rotary Dream Park and at Front Street and Center Street, where the 2,100th tree was planted. The community cookbook is expected to be available by early December for those who want the local recipes from the anniversary.
The takeaway
Arlington's anniversary planting shows how a city can tie a milestone to lasting public works, with a time capsule meant to be read a century from now. Residents interested in the city's history can watch for the cookbook and the tree at Rotary Dream Park.
What happens next
The community cookbook is expected to be ready by the beginning of December 2026, and the time capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2126.
Further reading
For more on local civic life, explore Civic coverage across the Arlington area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Report.
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