In a city that's pushing forward with greening efforts, Sarasota residents are being offered a chance to get their hands on a free canopy tree. It's happening at Earth Month's Good to Be Green event at The Bay Park on April 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. An array of 18 different species of juvenile trees will be up for grabs — from the fragrant orange geiger to the stately live oak.
The trees are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and any interested city resident can walk away with one — assuming they bring proof of their residency. Trees are courtesy of the City's Tree Mitigation Fund, which is fueled by tree removal permit dollars and geared towards bolstering the urban canopy. However, it's a bit of an oversight that you'll need to have some sort of vehicle to transport these juvenile giants; no delivery options mentioned.
Not merely are these trees meant to spruce up the appearance of homes and neighborhoods, but they come with a raft of benefits. "In addition to beautifying the community, canopy trees provide significant benefits, including cleaning the air, saving energy, cleaning stormwater runoff, lowering the urban heat island effect, and providing wildlife habitat," according to a statement on the City of Sarasota's website.
For those who find the prospect of tree care a tad daunting, fret not. City arborists will be present at the event to offer their wisdom on choosing the right tree for the right place and how to care for it. Additionally, for those with a passion for learning more, there’s an "Learn from an Arborist" event at The Bay's Nest on April 25 at 11:30 a.m. An arborists from the city will be there to discuss trees, landscaping, and The Bay's commitment to the future canopy under the Florida sun, detailed on the City of Sarasota's website.
