HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Holland Board of Public Works and the City of Holland,will offer a total of 300 free trees to qualifying electric customers through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees program.
This Arbor Day program helps communities across the United States save energy while expanding their tree canopies.
“We’re the first in the State of Michigan to offer this tree planting program,” said Morgan Kelley, Holland BPW conservation programs specialist. “Planting a tree in your yard strategically can help lower energy bills as well as provide environmental benefits, including air absorption, water filtration, and carbon capture.”
Starting today, Holland BPW electric customers can reserve their free tree at arborday.org/HBPW. Participants will be able to pick up the tree at the HBPW Service Center, 625 Hastings Ave. in Holland on April 27 from 8 a.m. to noon.
“The online tool walks customers through reserving a tree and guides them in selecting the most strategic planting location for maximum impact,” said Kelley. “It also estimates annual energy savings and uses the customer’s overhead and underground utility information to ensure trees are planted away from power lines and underground infrastructure.”
Participants are expected to care for and plant their tree in the location provided by the online tool. Customers may choose one of four species: red maple, river birch, royal star magnolia or prairiefire crabapple.
Residents must call MISS DIG at 811 before planting their tree.
Registration for Energy-Saving Trees will remain open for Holland BPW customers until all 300 trees are reserved.
The Arbor Day Foundation and the Davey Institute created the online tree tool, using 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.
