The City of Concord, in partnership with the Creation Care team at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, the Arbor Day Foundation, and Carolina Power Partners, will distribute 300 free trees to Concord homeowners and customers of Concord Electric Systems. The initiative is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to support a healthy tree canopy and help residents lower energy costs.
As stated by city officials, “As a Tree City USA member and one of North Carolina’s public power communities, the City of Concord is committed to supporting a healthy tree canopy and helping homeowners reduce their energy costs. The City was the first municipality in North Carolina to join the Energy-Saving Trees program and is now participating for the seventh year in a row.”
Residents interested in receiving a tree can reserve one online at get.arborday.org/concord starting Monday, September 8 at 8 a.m. Trees are available on a first come, first served basis. Advance sign-ups for reservation reminders are also available.
Participants can select from eight varieties: Red Maple, American Linden, Allegheny Serviceberry, Bald Cypress, White Oak, Black Tupelo, White Fringe, and Carolina Silverbell. Trees must be picked up on Saturday, October 18 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church located at 525 Lake Concord Rd NE in Concord. Master Gardeners will be present during pickup to provide planting guidance and answer questions about tree care.
Last year’s program distributed 300 native trees across the city. The projected benefits over twenty years from these trees include significant savings in energy use (735,931 kWh), carbon sequestration (426,209 pounds), absorption of air pollutants (2,414 pounds), and filtration of stormwater runoff (over six million gallons).
Over six years of this program’s operation have resulted in more than 1,500 trees being given away to local homeowners. If all were planted and survived as expected over two decades, estimates show nearly three million kWh saved in energy use; more than six million pounds of carbon sequestered; over eleven thousand pounds of air pollutants absorbed; stormwater runoff filtration exceeding twenty-seven million gallons; and combined community benefits valued above $540,000.
