I love free stuff. And when you combine free with plants, I practically foam at the mouth. So when a press release from MillionTreesNYC hit my mailbox earlier this week, my antenna went up.
There are some catches, though. Despite the group's name, there won't actually be a million trees available for "adoption." The group is giving away 1,200 trees on May 10, 17 and 18 at four Council on the Environment of NYC Greenmarkets and at the Riverdale (Bronx) YM-YWHA's Environmental Fair, with 250 trees available at each location. Also, there's a limit of one per household. You won't get to landscape your entire property, but, hey, it's a tree. And free is a beautiful thing. (The group's name actually comes from its goal to plant and care for 1 million new trees across the city’s five boroughs by 2017.)
Limited quantities of the following species of trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis: Red Bud, Dogwood, Cherry, Crabapple, Service Berry, Linden, Sweetgum, Oak, Tulip Poplar and Buckeye.
If you happen to grab one, you'll be required to register your new tree at www.milliontreesnyc.org. I'm not quite sure why, though I wonder whether the agency will send case workers to monitor the type of home you're providing. (Is there a such thing as Arbor Foster Care for those that are neglected? If so, I personally know of dozens of abused trees in need of rescuing.)
NYRP horticulture specialists will help get you started, with instruction on how to plant properly and then send you on your merry way. If you don't have a yard, as is likely the case for the many apartment dwellers who attend these events, there will be opportunites to get your hands dirty, anyway. Info will be available on volunteer opportunities, educational programs and, of course, contributing to MillionTreesNYC.
Here are the details:
• Saturday, May 10
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Borough Hall CENYC Greenmarket – Staten Island, St. Mark’s and Hyatt
• Saturday, May 10
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grand Army Plaza CENYC Greenmarket – Brooklyn Prospect Park NW Entrance
• Sunday, May 17
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Inwood CENYC Greenmarket – Upper Manhattan Isham St., Seaman & Cooper
• Saturday, May 17
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunnyside CENYC Greenmarket – Queens, Skillman between 42nd and 43rd streets
• Sunday, May 18
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Riverdale YM-YWHA Environmental Fair – Bronx, 5625 Arlington Ave., at 256th Street
