State Offering Free Trees To Quincy Residents

QUINCY, MA — Do you have space in your yard that would be perfect for a tree? State officials said the Department of Conservation and Recreation will plant Quincy residents and business owners one for free as long as they promise to take care of it.

Now through Nov. 15, department crews will plant a tree for any residents that commit to watering it. The plantings are part of the department’s Greening the Gateway Cities Program, a program that's been implemented in 14 Massachusetts cities

"The Greening the Gateway Cities Program provides tremendous benefits to local communities, including the improvement of air quality, the reduction of energy consumption, the expansion of vital habitat, and the beautifying of neighborhoods,” DCR Commissioner Leo Roy said in a statement.

The program targets areas with less tree canopy, older housing, high wind speeds, and large renter populations. State officials said the trees will provide clean air, higher property values, reduced noise pollution and help randomize wind patterns.

If you choose to register to receive a tree, a urban forester with the department will visit your property and determine the best location and species of tree for energy efficiency. They also conduct year-round site visits and are available to answer questions.

Tree care instructions, including information on watering, mulching and pruning, are provided. To find out if a home or business is within the planting zone, and to order a free tree, call 617-626-1570 or visit MAUrbanCanopy.org.