TreesCharlotte is giving away 500 trees. Here’s how to get one (or two).
One thing the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us is that plants and greenery bring people joy. It seems that nearly everyone in Charlotte has made the choice to become a plant parent at some point over the last few months, but what about tree parents?
Beginning Sept. 25, TreesCharlotte will open its ninth planting season by giving away 500 trees free to Charlotte residents. The season typically runs from early October until late March, but the nonprofit organization is getting things started a little early this year.
“Urban development has caused so many trees to be lost each year, and this especially affects private landowners,” Jen Rothaker, community engagement officer of TreesCharlotte, told CharlotteFive. “We are especially doing this giveaway for them.”
The giveaway will be broken up into two parts. The first, happening on Sept. 25, will give 100 trees to residents who have never received a tree from the program. The second wave, happening the following day, will give away 400 trees free to any Charlotte resident.
How it works
Registration for first-time tree owners will run from Sept. 16-20. You can claim up to two trees, and the species of your choice. Registration for the second pickup will run from Sept. 18-23.
Pickup will be drive-thru style at the TreesCharlotte headquarters (701 Tuckaseegee Road), located at the City of Charlotte Landscape Division in the Wesley Heights neighborhood. A TreesCharlotte employee will bring your free tree or trees to your vehicle, and you must load your haul yourself. All trees will include a free bag of mulch.
“This is the first time we’ve opened the option to select the type of tree you want,” Rothaker said. This way, you won’t have to come to the pickup only to find out the tree you wanted is no longer available.”
TreesCharlotte will follow up with those who picked up trees to provide planting and care tips specific for each tree.
What types of trees are being offered?
You’re probably thinking that they are only giving away small seedling trees, but you’re mistaken. Each tree will come in a 7-gallon pot and is already at least 1-2 years old. The average size of each tree is 5 feet and about 25 pounds.
“We have a wide range of trees we are offering this year,” said Kate Bolkin, tree educator for TreesCharlotte. “We have Princeton Elms that can grow between 50-70 feet and Japanese Snowbells that grow 10-15 feet. All of the other species will fall somewhere in between.”
These are all long-lasting trees that will see their peak growth 10-15 years from now. It is important to keep that in mind when selecting a species for your particular space or home.
The programs will release a video soon after the giveaway that will provide additional planting tips and care instructions.
“The biggest mistake that we see is people planting a tree too deep,” Bolkin said. “If your tree sinks too low, it won’t survive.”
Bolkin suggests digging a hole twice the size of the tree’s width and depth once it is out of the container. Once you have your hole, it is best to physically jump in it to really make sure the soil is nice and compact before planting. This way, you won’t run the risk of the hole getting deeper after watering.
TreesCharlotte
701 Tuckaseegee Road
Instagram: @treesclt
