Free Trees Being Given Away In Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ - New Jersey is giving away 60,000 free tree seedlings to residents across the state, including Chatham Township this Saturday.

The free trees are being made available to Chatham Township and Chatham Borough residents through the New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign, a program run by the New Jersey Forest Service and the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation.

"Trees provide many benefits beyond beautifying our communities," said DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe. "Trees clean our air, fight climate change, provide habitat for wildlife, offer shade and improve the health of our environment."

The free seedling program began after Superstorm Sandy destroyed numerous trees. In the past seven years, 500,000 trees have been given out.

From 8 a.m. to noon on April 27 residents will be able to pick up tree seedlings at the Tanglewood Lane Recycling Area. Seedlings, available on a first come, first served basis, also come with instructions on how to store, care for, and plant them. The guides help residents choose the right place on a property to plant a tree while keeping in mind the tree’s full-grown size in the future. Residents should plant the seedlings within two days after pick-up in order to prevent the roots from drying out.

The goal of the Tree Recovery Campaign is to distribute 600,000 tree seedlings to New Jersey residents over the course of six years. It is a joint effort between Chatham Township, New Jersey Forest Service, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, Sustainable Jersey, Arbor Day Foundation, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Canon, and FedEx.

"While the tree seedlings stand just one to two feet tall now, with proper care they will soon grow to be powerhouses at cleaning the water we drink and air we breathe," said New Jersey Forest Service Chief Todd Wyckoff. "In urban areas where there are many pollutants, these environmental benefits are especially important."

Here are some tips from the DEP on how to plant your new seedling:

• Plant seedlings promptly to ensure they take root and thrive.
• Consider the location of where seedlings are planted and the size of trees when fully grown. Avoid planting seedlings near overhead utility lines and structures.
• Moisten roots before planting.
• Dig a hole two to three times larger than the roots when spread apart. Do not plant roots too deep or too shallow.
• Add loose soil gently, then add more soil and pack down firmly. Add water to firm the soil if necessary.
• Place wood-chip mulch around the base of the seedling.
• Water the seedling regularly but do not over-water, which can cause roots to rot.

When properly planted and maintained, trees can be assets to a community. They improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood or business district, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

Those with questions can contact Cara Feeser at 973-635-4600.

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