Free Trees for Delaware Residents
Friday, October 19, 2018
DNREC’s Nonpoint Source Program offering free trees to Delaware residents in partnership with DDA’s Forest Service
DOVER (Oct. 18, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship Nonpoint Source Program is offering a free tree to Delaware residents in partnership with the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry program within the Department of Agriculture. The free tree program is part of the Arbor Day Foundation's Community Canopy Project to expand tree canopies in cities and towns across the country. Trees can be reserved at www.arborday.org/delaware.
Trees planted in strategic locations around a house can provide homeowners with numerous benefits, including: cleaner air and water, improved property values, less storm water runoff and flooding, and lower energy bills through reduced heating and cooling costs." src="cid:[email protected]" alt="boost4" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" class="Apple-web-attachment Singleton" style="width: 8.0138in; height: 4.1875in;">
An online tool on the Arbor Day Foundation site helps Delawareans estimate the annual energy savings that can result from planting trees in the most strategic location near their homes or businesses. Residents can reserve one tree per household, and are expected to care for and plant their trees in the location suggested by the online tool. Quantities of trees are limited and the types of trees offered include the following: American sycamore, black tupelo, shadblow, serviceberry, swamp white oak, and tulip tree.
The program will continue until all 1,200 trees are reserved. Smaller trees will be delivered directly to homeowners at their mailing address. The larger two-to-four foot tall trees will be available for pickup from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 or 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Delaware Department of Agriculture at 2320 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
“Not only does this project help beautify our city’s landscape, it also provides immense environmental benefits that can help Dover residents save money on their energy bills,” said Marcia Fox, DNREC Nonpoint Source Program manager and chair of the state’s Urban and Community Forestry Council.
The “Community Canopy Project” online tool was created by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Davey Institute, a division of Davey Tree Expert Co., and uses peer-reviewed scientific research from the USDA Forest Service’s i-Tree software to calculate estimated benefits. In addition to providing approximate energy savings, the tool also estimates the trees’ other benefits, including cleaner air, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and improved storm water management.
For more information about reserving a tree, please call 855-234-3801.