Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is once again partnering with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board to offer free trees to schools in Union County, in honor of Arbor Day.
“Studies have shown that trees provide many civic and environmental benefits, and the Freeholder Board is very proud of the Union County teachers and students who have participated in our Arbor Day tree planting program throughout the years,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.
This year’s free Arbor Day Tree is the flowering Redbud. They are about five feet tall and weigh about 20 pounds. When fully grown they will be about 15-20 feet tall.
The trees are available on a first come first served basis while supplies last. Requests from schools must be received by Monday, April 4, 2016.
Schools that are interested in a tree can request one by contacting Barbara Knapp at Union County, 908-789-3653 or bknapp@ucnj.org.
Schools that receive a tree can get a free session in tree planting and care for students, teachers, and parent volunteers through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Master Tree Stewards, a program supported by the Freeholder Board.
For more information about the value of trees in urban areas, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forestry Service i-Tree program at itreetools.org.
Arbor Day has been a National Observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 29, 2016.
To find out more about tree care in Union County or to volunteer to be a Master Tree Steward, contact James Nichnadowicz, Union County 4-H Agent at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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