City of Venice sponsoring Free Tree Giveaway this month

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City of Venice sponsoring Free Tree Giveaway this month

By Francesco Abbruzzino

City of Venice

Tree canopies produce oxygen, absorb air pollutants, help control stormwater runoff and help reduce energy cost, just to name a few benefits. You can help the City with our goal to increase Venice’s canopy cover by planting a tree on your property.

The City of Venice is giving away 50 trees to City residents. Go to the homepage of the City website, www.venicegov.com, and click on “Register for a Free Tree” under “I Want To” or “Residents.” Fill out the registration form and make your species selection.

Limit one tree per household while supplies last. You must register to qualify; there will be no trees available for walkups. Trees will be available for pickup at the Monty Andrews Arboretum in West Blalock Park on Thursday, Jan. 21, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Due to COVID-19 and the safety of you, our volunteers and City staff, please pick up your trees according to the first letter of your LAST name at the times below:

· A-B 9 a.m.

· C 9:30 a.m.

· D-F 10 a.m.

· G-H 10:30 a.m.

· I-L 11 a.m.

· M-P 11:30 a.m.

· R-S 12 p.m.

· T-Z 12:30 p.m.

Please wear a mask to pick up your tree.

Here are the species that will be available (along with links to fact sheets for more information):

· Bald cypress — https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/taxdisa.pdf

· American elm— https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/ulmamea.pdf