TreePhilly returns with springtime yard tree giveaways

Thursday, February 21, 2013
By Ashley Hahn
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Is your yard missing something? Maybe a nice dogwood or redbud tree?

It's not too early to think about the spring planting season, and last week TreePhilly opened up registration for its yard tree giveaway program. Property owners or community groups may register between now and March 31 for a free yard tree through TreePhilly, which will be available for pick up at one of the nine tree giveaway events in April.

To be eligible for TreePhilly's yard tree program (street trees are different), you must be a Philadelphia resident and property owner, and agree to plant your tree (within 15 days of receipt) in the ground in your front, back, or side yard within the city limits. You also have to agree to care for your tree by watering it well (20 gallons weekly).

If you think you're up to the task of caring for a yard tree, you can register online for up to two trees that can be picked up at giveaways from April 6-20 across the city. Tree experts will be on hand to help you select the right tree for your yard, and offer advice about how to plant and care for your new tree once you get it home.

TreePhilly, a program of the Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Wells Fargo, aims to engage the general public in helping to restore the city's tree canopy to 30%. The Nutter administration's goal is to add 300,000 trees to the city by 2015 to help absorb stormwater, improve air quality, and reduce the urban heat-island effect.

Register for a your yard tree(s) online or download this registration form [pdf] and mail it in to get your tree.

Mayor, DiBerardinis announce TreePhilly

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
By JoAnn Greco
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Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Michael Nutter and Michael DiBerardinis, deputy mayor for environmental and community resources, offered a Valentine's Day present to the citizens of Philadelphia by announcing the city's new tree…