1,000 trees are available for just $25 each through the City Trees program

March 11, 2008 (MINNEAPOLIS) The City of Minneapolis is making 1,000 trees available to city residents for planting this spring. Minneapolis funds the City Trees program, which is in its third year, to provide a low-cost way for folks to help build the city’s urban tree forest.

Research has proven that trees are a valuable investment and improve urban quality of life. Healthy trees increase property values, help improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing carbon dioxide, save energy, keep the city cooler, provide homes for wildlife and help manage storm water.

To make the City Trees program a reality, Minneapolis partners with Tree Trust, a local nonprofit that works to improve the community environment.

Ordering a tree:

The trees cost $25 each, and are approximately 6-to-10 feet tall with a 1 inch trunk. Residents can order one tree per household, and the 1,000 trees will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can choose from five tree varieties, including Bicolor Oak, Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple, Pagoda Dogwood, Japanese Tree Lilac or Welchi Juniper.

Orders can be placed online between March 11 and April 11 by visiting Tree Trust at www.treetrust.org or by picking up an order form from your neighborhood group or local library. Tree pick-up dates are May 10 and 11 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and May 12 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the former Franklin Middle School East parking lot at 1501 Aldrich Avenue N. Volunteers will be available to help load your new tree and complimentary bag of mulch in to your vehicle.

Information will be available online and at the tree pick-up site that will explain how to plant a tree the right way, how to care for it, and the benefits it will provide.

For more information on how to order a tree, contact Tree Trust by visiting www.treetrust.org or by calling (651)644-5800.