Ready to make your yard a little happier?
Green Columbus is giving away 3,000 free native trees this fall in its eighth annual Tree Giveaway. The trees are for Franklin County residents only, one per household, and you need a reservation at greencbus.org before pickup day. Each tree is 4 to 6 feet tall and comes in a three-gallon pot.
Pickups run on three Sundays: Sept. 27 on the South Side, Oct. 4 in Franklinton and Oct. 11 in Linden. Registration for each site closes once its trees are spoken for or on the Friday afternoon before that Sunday, whichever comes first.
Why Trees Matter
Before we dive into the details of how you can get your hands on these fabulous trees, let’s talk about why they’re so important. Urban tree canopies play a vital role in enhancing our environment. They help reduce air pollution, provide shade and cooling, and promote biodiversity.
Trees are like nature’s air purifiers, absorbing harmful carbon dioxide and releasing fresh oxygen into the air. Plus, they make our neighborhoods more beautiful, and who doesn’t love that?
In Columbus, only 22 percent of the city is covered by trees. The Urban Forestry Master Plan for Columbus hopes to reach citywide tree canopy cover of 40 percent, and every single tree makes a difference.
Where the trees come from
Volunteers grew all 3,000 trees at the Green Columbus nursery in Linden over the spring and summer. The nursery is part of the group’s tree nursery campaign with American Forests, run with the City of Columbus, The Columbus Foundation and Columbia Gas. Columbus Recreation and Parks and Keep Columbus Beautiful also support the giveaway. Green Columbus has helped plant more than 350,000 trees across central Ohio since 2007, and the giveaway is one of its main tools for spreading tree cover more evenly across the city.
Getting Your Free Tree
Getting your free tree is as easy as 1-2-3! Here’s how it works:
Reserve: Go to greencbus.org/freetrees, choose a pickup site and fill out that site’s form. One tree per household. The reservation is good for that site and date only, and there is no makeup day, though a friend or neighbor can pick up for you if you forward them your confirmation email.
Pick-Up: Mark your calendar and make your way to your designated pick up station. Don’t worry about lifting a finger; friendly volunteers will load your tree for you without you even getting out of your car.
Responsibility: Once you receive your tree, you have a few responsibilities to keep in mind. You agree to plant it in the ground at the address on your reservation and keep it watered and maintained. Parks, tree lawns and the strip along the street are off limits.
A few details to keep in mind
- Franklin County residents only, and you need a reservation before pickup day.
- One tree per household. If trees are left over after reservations, Green Columbus says it will reach out, and it encourages people who can plant extras to stop by near the end of a pickup day.
- Incomplete or inaccurate registration info voids your reservation.
- Details can change, so check greencbus.org before you drive over.
- Green Columbus may reach out to confirm your registration in the weeks before the giveaway, and you should get a final confirmation email the day before.
Tree Options
You’ll have a variety of native Ohio trees to choose from, including Northern Red Oak, Black Cherry, Red Maple, Sycamore, and Tulip trees. Each of these species has its unique characteristics, so take some time to explore them at greencbus.org to select the one that best suits your preferences and location.
This fall’s pickup dates and locations
- South Side: Sunday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital parking lot, 300 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus
- Franklinton: Sunday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Dodge Community Center, 667 Sullivant Ave., Columbus
- Linden: Sunday, Oct. 11, starting at 10 a.m., at the Green Columbus tree nursery, 1142 E. 17th Ave., Columbus. The sign-up page lists a 2 p.m. close and the press release says 1 p.m., so plan on the earlier time.
So, Columbus, don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to bring more greenery into your life and contribute to a more environmentally friendly city. Register now and let’s make Columbus greener, one tree at a time!
