1,000 Free Trees Up for Grabs, Rhode Islanders!

Homeowners hoping to plant a tree in their yard might be taken aback at the prices of some specimens at home and garden stores.

A well-known secret to get a better price on a tree has always been to join the Arbor Day Foundation to get the 10 free trees a $15 annual membership gets you.

Now, the foundation and the state Department of Environmental Management have partnered to offer 1,000 free trees to Rhode Islanders this fall as part of a program to help Rhode Islanders save energy and cut their utility bills by strategically planting trees on their property.

A well-placed tree can help provide cooling shade in the summer and block bitter winter winds, saving money all year long.

Trees also improve air quality, reduce runoff and beautify their surroundings. Not to mention, trees offer habitat for birds and other creatures who once were unencumbered by houses and manicured but sterile lawns.

Online registration begins Aug. 21.

According to a news release, the process to reserve a free tree takes less than ten minutes and includes four easy steps.

Homeowners can sign up at www.arborday.org/RIDEM, map out their house by using the interactive mapping tool, select the right tree by choosing from a list of approved trees, and reserve the tree by choosing from a list of pick-up locations at RI farmers’ markets in Middletown, Pawtucket, Providence and North Kingstown. Homeowners will also receive hands-on planting and care instruction from RI Tree Council tree stewards.

The free trees are approximately three to five feet tall and come in five-gallon containers. These trees are traveling size and will fit in most cars, enabling homeowners to transport and plant the trees themselves.
All homeowners must meet program requirements and pre-register online to reserve their free tree. The trees will be available for pick-up starting in late September at the participating farmers’ markets on the following dates:

• Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Aquidneck Growers’ Market, 909 East Main Street in Middletown.

• Sunday, October 11 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Slater Park Farmers’ Market, 900 Armistice Boulevard in Pawtucket.

• Saturday, October 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hope Street Farmers’ Market, 1000 Hope Street in Providence.

• Saturday, October 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Coastal Growers Farmers’ Market, 2325 Boston Neck Road in North Kingstown.