Utica homeowners interested in receiving a free tree may apply by contacting the UU Climate Action Team at UticaUrbanTreeProject@gmail.com or by phone at (315) 351-2591.
by Jerry Kraus
A project to plant trees in the City of Utica is coming back after a very successful campaign last year. The Urban Tree Planting Project is looking for City of Utica homeowners who are interested in receiving a free tree, which will be delivered and planted at no charge. Homeowners would be required to care for the trees for a minimum of 5 years. Interested Utica Homeowners are asked to contact the UU Climate Action Team at 315-351-2591. Funding for this project is made possible through a Department of Environmental Conservation grant.
This Urban Tree Planting project is a cooperative program with The Rotary Club of Utica, The Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica and the City of Utica Parks Department. The goal is for the trees to thrive over many years and serve to enhance the value of these properties, improving the air quality within the community by reducing carbon emissions, provide a canopy of shade to lower the heat index during summer months, and as recent studies have found, trees planted in urban areas have served to reduce the level of crime.
The deadline to apply is June 1.
Varieties of trees available in 2023 include White Birch, Maple Blaze, Cherry varieties, Northern Red Oak, White Oak, American Linden and more.