Deerfield Beach homeowners can drive away with a fruit tree on Saturday morning. The city's annual Fall Tree Giveaway runs Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon at Johnie McKeithen Park, 629 N Deerfield Ave., with five varieties to choose from and one tree per household.

The trees go to single-family homeowners to plant on their own property. There is no registration: trees are handed out first come, first served, while supplies last, and proof of Deerfield Beach residency is required on arrival. Enter from NW 1st Terrace.

The five trees on offer

Every tree comes in a 3- to 5-gallon container and stands 1 to 4 feet tall. The city published growing notes for each one:

  • Glenn mango. Grows to about 25 feet tall with a 20-foot spread. Needs full sun and moist, well-drained soil, and fruits in June and July.
  • Longan ('Kohala'). Reaches about 25 feet high and 25 feet wide in full sun and well-drained soil, with fruit from mid-May to mid-June.
  • Guava ('Ruby Supreme'). A moderate grower to about 20 feet that tolerates full sun and moderate salt. It fruits in spring and summer, usually starting two to three years after planting.
  • Barbados cherry. Reaches about 20 feet high and wide in full sun with moist, well-drained soil, and produces fruit from May through December.
  • Jaboticaba. A slow-growing tree that can reach 20 to 35 feet with a 15- to 20-foot spread. It takes full sun to partial shade and fruits in March and April.

Pickup runs through a single drive-through lane. The city suggests arriving early and making sure the vehicle has room to carry a 3- to 5-gallon container safely.

Planning where it goes

Most of these trees grow large. The mango and longan can both reach about 25 feet, and the longan spreads just as wide, so the city's size notes are worth reading before choosing a spot near a house, a pool screen or a power line. The Barbados cherry has the longest fruiting season of the five, while the jaboticaba is the slowest grower and the one that tolerates some shade.

Also coming up in Deerfield Beach

All That Jazz returns Nov. 20. The city's free outdoor jazz series starts its new run on Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. with The Jazz Collective at Villages of Hillsboro, 4111 NW 6th St. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a picnic, or buy from the food truck. The November show opens a series of jazz nights at locations around the city, listed at DFB.city/AllThatJazz.

Pickleball, coffee and donuts Nov. 21. On Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Leo J. Robb Gymnasium, 435 SW 2nd St., hosts a free community pickleball morning with coffee, donuts, music and pickleball-themed raffle prizes. Players of every level are welcome. Details are available from Parks and Recreation at 954-250-4433.

Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11. The city's annual Veterans Day ceremony begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Johnny L. Tigner Community Center, 445 SW 2nd St. It is free, and the city recommends arriving early for a seat.

How to go

For the tree giveaway, bring proof of Deerfield Beach residency to Johnie McKeithen Park, 629 N Deerfield Ave., between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Oct. 31, and enter from NW 1st Terrace. One tree per household, while supplies last.

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