Free Tree Seedlings Available On First-Come, First Served Basis

Berkeley Township residents who lost trees during Superstorm Sandy can take advantage of the state's Tree Recovery Campaign and pick up free tree seedlings on April 16, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

Berkeley will distribute 2,000 seedlings from the state Department of Environmental Protection from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Township Recreation Center on Route 9 in Bayville.

The program is aimed at helping towns municipalities around the state to replace trees lost in the Oct. 29, 2012 storm

“We are pleased to be able to participate in this program to help residents replace trees, for free, that were lost during Superstorm Sandy.” Amato said.

Seedlings will be available on a first-come, first serve basis. The DEP will provide instruction guides on how to store, care for and plant the tiny trees. Advice will also be available on where to plant the seedlings, keeping in mind their future size, the mayor said.

This is the third year of the effort, launched to help communities that lost trees during Sandy, which toppled and crippled countless trees with strong winds and record storm surges in October 2012, according to a DEP release.

Municipalities that registered last month for the seedlings will receive up to 2,000 trees each for distribution to residents. Any resident can receive up to five free seedlings at any of the distribution centers. Proof of residency is not required.

“Trees serve many important functions, including creating habitat for wildlife, stabilizing areas that are prone to erosion, conserving energy use, and beautifying our communities,” DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said. “The State Forest Nursery in Jackson is providing seedlings from more than 38 different tree species for the campaign, including a wide range of trees native to New Jersey such as oaks, dogwoods and maples.”

The New Jersey State Forest Service will deliver the trees to 13 regional distribution centers for pick-up by those municipalities, which will then distribute them to residents through May 15. Each participating community will distribute seedlings on a designated date. Seedling distribution locations and dates as well as much more information on trees and their benefits can be found on the State Forest Service Facebook page at www.facebook.com/newjerseyforests or online at www.forestry.nj.gov

Residents should plant the seedlings within two days after pick-up in order to prevent the roots from drying out.

"We encourage residents that lost trees during Superstorm Sandy, and would like to replace them, to stop by on the 16th and pick up free seedlings," Amato said.