Cabarrus Today

The City of Concord, in collaboration with the Creation Care team at All Saints’ Episcopal Church and the Arbor Day Foundation, is offering 200 free trees to homeowners through the Energy-Saving Trees program. This initiative marks the fourth consecutive year of participation for Concord, the first North Carolina municipality to join the program. The initiative aims to provide free trees while educating residents on proper planting techniques.

Mayor Bill Dusch expressed his support for the program, stating, “We’re happy to once again join our community partners in offering homeowners this free opportunity to beautify their yards, help our environment, and save on their home energy costs.” He emphasized Concord's commitment as a Tree City USA member to enhance its tree canopy and promote community involvement.

Concord homeowners can reserve a tree online at arborday.org/concord. The available species include American Sycamore, Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry, Baldcypress, Red Maple, Scarlet Oak, and Witch Hazel. Trees must be collected on October 29 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mark Robinson, MD, leader of the Creation Care team at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, highlighted the environmental benefits of planting trees: “Planting a tree and caring for it is one of the most powerful things we can do as individuals to remove carbon from our atmosphere.”

An online mapping tool assists homeowners in selecting optimal planting locations for maximizing environmental benefits. According to U.S. Department of Energy models, strategic placement of three trees can save households between $100 and $250 annually in energy costs.

In 2021 alone, 222 native trees were distributed across Concord with projected long-term benefits including significant energy savings and pollution reduction. Over three years, 779 trees have been distributed with combined projected outcomes of substantial environmental and economic benefits.

The Creation Care team was established in 2019 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church and has expanded its efforts beyond tree distribution to include education on recycling and composting among other initiatives.

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation remains dedicated to global reforestation efforts with over one million members worldwide contributing towards its mission.