The historic Airlie Oak at Airlie Gardens dates back to at least 1545. Despite requiring reinforcements to support its massive branches, this iconic tree has withstood centuries of storms, flooding, and hurricanes in the region. Inspired by the Airlie Oak’s resilience, Penderlea Farms began hand-picking its acorns to preserve its lineage and grow heritage trees connected to some of the oldest in our area.

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Each year, we collect acorns from the magnificent live oaks at Airlie Gardens and nurture them into strong, beautiful trees. These heritage live oaks offer people the opportunity to plant a piece of history in their own backyard. Best of all, a significant amount of the proceeds from every Airlie tree sold are donated directly to Airlie Gardens to support their exceptional preservation and educational efforts.
 

Starting in 2024, all Pender County fifth graders will have the exciting opportunity to visit Penderlea Farms for an annual AG Day, hosted by Pender County Schools. This hands-on educational event introduces students to a wide range of careers in agriculture, showcasing topics such as monitoring and treating crops using drone technology, raising livestock, beekeeping, agricultural advocacy, and education.

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Students will explore the vital role agriculture plays in their community and beyond, engaging with local experts and interactive demonstrations. AG Day aims to inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals while fostering an appreciation for the hard work and innovation that sustains our food systems and natural resources.
 

Penderlea Farms partnered with the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees and Williston Middle School to engage students in a meaningful hands-on project centered on their very own Williston Oak trees. Middle schoolers joined in collecting acorns while learning about the vital role of live oaks in the environment, the rich history of their school, and the fascinating life cycle of trees.

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The journey doesn’t stop there—students are invited to visit Penderlea Farms, where the acorns they gathered are carefully germinating and growing into young trees. Once matured, these trees will play a key role in a community giveaway hosted by the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees. This initiative not only encourages planting in underserved areas but also helps to expand the presence of native live oaks throughout the region, fostering environmental stewardship and community pride.