New Yorkers Can Plant a Tree for Free

New Yorkers can help make the city greener by planting a tree for free as part of the New York Restoration Project’s (NYRP) annual tree giveaway. The initiative aims to grow New York City’s canopy cover by increasing the city’s tree population. Having more trees provides benefits such as decreasing temperatures, improving air quality and reducing flooding.

The nonprofit’s annual tree giveaway began in 2010 as part of MillionTreesNYC, an initiative by former Mayor Mike Bloomberg to plant one million trees throughout the city. Every year, NYRP distributes free trees to New Yorkers on weekends, April through May, across the five boroughs.

John Witherspoon, a native New Yorker, got a tree from MillionTreesNYC in 2015, which he planted in his front yard. This year, he decided to attend NYRP’s tree giveaway to get two more trees to plant.

 ”My mother had passed away at the time and I planted that tree in her honor and that tree is thriving now,” Witherspoon said. “It's about 15-feet tall sitting on my property, and I just wanted to come back and support.”

Witherspoon explained that he likes the trees because he feels they enhance his property.

“I love having the trees out there. It adds to the curb appeal,” Witherspoon said. “When they get really big, you can have somewhere you go under and it's like you feel like you're not necessarily in the city, you're in a whole different area.”

Attendees can register for a tree in advance, or pick one out on a first come, first served basis. This year, NYRP is distributing 22 different species of trees, some of which grow flowers or fruit. NYRP explained that all of the trees were chosen based on their ability to thrive in urban environments.

NYRP said the demand for the tree giveaway grows every year, and that this year, they are giving out over 3,750 trees.

Lauren Wilson, senior director of Marketing and Communications at NYRP, said that planting and taking care of a tree is easier than some people might think.

“I think when some people envision a tree giveaway, they may assume that we're giving away something that is closer to what they might see on a street tree or like something they can't really put their arms around,” Wilson said. “But no, in fact, these are in small containers, kind of like the size of a cup or a sleeve.”

The only requirement for New Yorkers who want to get a tree from NYRP is that it has to be planted on private property. Some of the locations people choose to plant them at include libraries, hospitals, schools, cemeteries, and yards.

This year’s NYRP tree giveaway will last from now until May 16. Distribution locations and times, as well as additional information about reserving a tree, can be found on their website.

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