Pasco Dentist Branching Out Again

NEW PORT RICHEY Going green is more than just a slogan for a local dentist.

Once again, Dr. Garland Forbes has given away thousands of tree saplings to be planted in West Pasco yards.

Forbes, an endodontist who specializes in root canal treatments at offices in New Port Richey, Spring Hill and Dunedin, has now distributed some 10,000 free trees over the past four years.

The program, Plant 1,000 Trees Before You Die, is coordinated through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

At first, Forbes simply gave trees to fellow dentists, but then the campaign started growing and growing.

This year some 2,000 trees were given to the public during a ceremony at the New Port Richey Public Library. The longleaf pine tree seedlings stand 10 to 16 inches tall.

Another 1,000 trees went to local schools.

An A-list of local officials attended the event. Among them were U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor; state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey; and Pasco Commissioner Ann Hildebrand.