Trees Knoxville’s 2017 Tree Give-Away is 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, December 2 at the Knoxville Botanical Garden (2649 Boyd’s Bridge Pike. Use the Boyd’s Bridge Pike entrance to the Knoxville Botanical Garden.)  The giveaway is open to residents of businesses of Knoxville and Knox County, who may obtain and plant up to five free trees (different species) on their private property.
A variety of native trees species are available:  Overcup Oak, Sweetgum, Redbud, Sugar Maple and Persimmon.  The trees will be comparable in size to those sold at retail stores.  Those who get trees will also receive instruction on how to plant and care for their trees.
While Knoxville and Knox County have a greater tree canopy than many other urban areas, parts of the city and county need more trees, especially within the inner-city neighborhoods of the city and along the west Knoxville commercial corridor.  Trees Knoxville aims to increase the tree canopy of Knoxville and Knox County by encouraging property owners to plant and care for trees.
Trees have great value to cities and property owners.  Besides their many water and air quality benefits, trees also increase the value of homes:  comparable homes with trees sell for nearly 20% higher than a home without trees.
“Fall is the best time to plant trees in our region,” said Tom Welborn, chair of Trees Knoxville.  These trees planted in the fall will have more time to develop their root systems, and with proper planting and care, they will have a higher survival rate than those planted in the spring.”
The opportunity for Trees Knoxville to give away trees is made possible through its membership in the Alliance for Community Trees and partnership with CSX Transportation.  Trees Knoxville also thanks the Knoxville Botanical Garden for sharing its grounds for this event.
For more information, contact Trees Knoxville at treesknoxville@gmail.com.