Free Trees Available, Just in Time for Spring Planting
Now in its
12th season, the program helps Rhode Islanders save energy and lower their
utility bills by strategically planting trees on their property.
"We're pleased to join with the Arbor Day Foundation and local partners again this spring to offer free trees to Rhode Islanders," said DEM Director Janet Coit.
"Planting a tree in the right place is a tangible way for residents
to stand up to climate change and can improve air quality, sequester carbon,
and help manage stormwater runoff. Most trees are spoken for within days of
registration opening, so be sure to register early!"
Planting the right tree in the right place is the key to maximizing the energy-saving benefits that trees provide. When planted properly, a single tree can save a homeowner money on energy costs by shading their home in the summer and blocking cold winds in the winter.
This season, nine different tree species
with variety of mature sizes will be distributed. Available species will include
Allee elm, American hornbeam, black tupelo, eastern hophornbeam, eastern
redbud, Exclamation! London planetree, 'Frontier' hybrid elm, Okame cherry, and
white oak.
Registration opens on Monday, April 5, and is required to reserve a tree. Recipients must be Rhode Island residents. Supplies go fast, so early registration is recommended.
Follow these steps to reserve your free tree:
1. Sign up at www.arborday.org/RIDEM and map out your house by using the interactive mapping tool
2. Select the
right tree by choosing from a list of approved trees
3. Reserve your
tree by choosing from a list of pick-up locations (listed below)
The free trees
will be approximately four to six feet tall and come in three-gallon
containers. These trees are traveling size and will fit in most cars for you to
take home and plant yourself.
For registration
assistance please contact the Arbor Day Foundation at 1-855-234-3801.
Trees can be
picked up during one of the following pick-up events:
Saturday, May 1
(9 AM – 12 PM) Richmond Elementary School, 190 Kingstown Road, Richmond
Saturday, May 8
(9 AM – 12 PM) Colt State Park, Route 114, Bristol
Saturday, May 15
(9 AM – 12 PM) RI State Park Headquarters, 1100 Tower Hill Road, North
Kingstown
Saturday, May 22
(9 AM – 12 PM) RI Tree Council Headquarters, 2953 Hartford Avenue, Johnston
DEM reminds
Rhode Islanders that they must wear face coverings and practice social
distancing while at the tree pick-up events. DEM advises everyone to follow
current guidance about COVID-19 from the Rhode Island Department of Health.
More information about COVID-19 and Rhode Island's response can be found here:
https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/
For questions
about the Energy-Saving Trees Program, contact Lou Allard, Urban and Community
Forestry Program Coordinator in DEM's Division of Forest Environment at
401-222-2445 ext. 72056 or by email at Robert.e.allard@dem.ri.gov. Funding for
the program is provided by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
For more information
on DEM's programs and divisions, visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow us on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or via Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM).
Related links
Sign Up for
Free Energy-Saving Trees Here