Milford Tree Giveaway 2022

Milford Tree Giveaway 2022

 

After an overwhelmingly positive response, all of the trees have been reserved. 

There will be more opportunities for trees in the future and please support our local nurseries by purchasing a tree locally.

You may also email jgrant@milfordct.gov to be placed on a waitlist. Please include your address and the type of tree that would be the right fit for your yard.

 

Back for the second year, the City of Milford is excited to be offering 500 ready to plant trees free to Milford residents!

This year’s Tree Giveaway is a tribute to our friend, Marty Hardiman

Trees are an essential, beautiful part of our community with enormous ecological and environmental value. Trees around your home increase property value, provide shade, reduce your carbon footprint, improve air quality, and increase quality of life. Planting a tree in your yard is a family event that everyone will enjoy for generations.

Celebrate Earth Day & Arbor Day by planting a tree!

The Following Trees Will Be Available, 1 tree per household

Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) - All of the Sweet Birchs have been reserved

  • The beautiful sweet birch is known for its stunning fall colors. Commonly referred to as cherry birch or black birch it has shiny reddish-brown bark and blooms in the spring. It requires minimal maintenance and attracts plenty of wildlife including pollinators and songbirds. It also serves as a caterpillar/larval host for butterflies.
  • Available in a #3 container, 3’-4’ tall
  • A mature tree will reach a height of 40’-55’ with a 35’-45’ spread.
  • Sun Exposure: Best with Full Sun to Partial Shade

River Birch (Betula nigra 'Heritage') - All of the River Birchs have been reserved

  • This multi-trunked rapid-growing tree is known for its unique papery bark. Large sheets of grayish-brown to tan flaking bark exfoliate to expose a tan to creamy-white to salmon-white inner trunk. It has excellent wildlife value attracting caterpillars, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It has glossy green foliage with an oval growth.
  • Available in a #3 container, 4'-5' tall
  • A mature tree will grow to about 40’-50’ with a 25'-40’ spread.
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Princess’) - All of the Dogwood Princess have been reserved

  • The gorgeous Cherokee Princess dogwood is both a flowering and ornamental tree. This dogwood will have a springtime bloom with beautiful white flowers that attract butterflies. It has forest green foliage that emerges burgundy in the spring. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding brick red in the fall. This stunning dogwood will flower profusely which makes it an excellent pollinator-friendly tree.
  • Mixture of #3 and #5 containers, 4'-5’ tall
  • A mature tree will grow to a height of 25’-30’ with a similar spread.
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Brave’) - All of the Dogwood Braves have been reserved

  • The gorgeous Cherokee Brave dogwood is also a flowering and ornamental tree. This dogwood will have a springtime bloom with a beautiful unique red hue that fades into a white center. It has lush green foliage that emerges with a red tint in the spring. These leaves turn an impressive shade of maroon in the fall. This stunning dogwood will flower profusely which makes it an excellent pollinator-friendly tree.
  • Available in a #7 container, 4'-5’ tall
  • A mature tree will grow to a height of 20’-30’ with a similar spread.
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) - All of the Oaks have been reserved

  • The swamp white oak has the ability to grow well in low-lying areas and suburban settings like Milford. This is a beautiful choice for a shade tree growing at a moderate pace and will live more than 300 years. It's the kind of tree you plant for not only your enjoyment but for the benefit of generations to come. This tree has large lobed leaves with strong contrasts in color between the upper and lower surfaces giving it a wonderful appearance.
  • Available in a #3 container, 5’-6’ tall
  • A mature tree will grow to a height of 50’-60’ high with a 40’-60’ spread.
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun is ideal with 6 hours per day

American Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) - All of the Fringetrees have been reserved

  • While this tree goes by many names but is known for its eye-catching, long drooping clusters of fringe-like white blooms that appear in late spring. This is a highly fragrant tree that produces blue-black fruit enjoyed by wildlife. The branches grow low to the ground giving it a bushy like appearance. It has dark-green glossy foliage and a pale-gray trunk. 
  • Available in a #7 container, 4' tall
  • This slower growing tree will mature to a height between 15'-25’ with a similar spread.
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade

 

Location and Date

This event will be held Saturday, April 23rd, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (rain or shine)

The trees will be available in the lower Eisenhower parking lot at 780 North Street.

This will be a drive-thru-style event and coincide with an Earth Day festival! Please drive into the lower lot of Eisenhower to pick up your tree and then stay and enjoy the full event! We will have eco-friendly exhibitors, fun demonstrations, informational sessions, and so much more!

Check out the Milford Earth Day website for more information about the event.

 

Eligibility

Available to current Milford residents, please be prepared to show an ID at pickup.

Trees must be planted in private yards within the City of Milford.

Trees must not be planted in the space between the road and sidewalk.

Limit of 1 tree per household.

 

Helpful Resources

Arbor Day Foundation How to Plant Containerized Trees

CT DEEP Tree Owners Manual

Yale URI Importance of Root Flares - video

Arbor Day Foundation Tree Care Tips & Techniques

Arbor Day Foundation Right Tree, Right Place

Nature Conservancy Healthy Tree Healthy Cities Program - video

 

We encourage you to share photos and the story of your tree on our social media pages.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Jeremy Grant in the Open Space and Sustainability department.

Office Phone: 203-878-7812

Email: jgrant@milfordct.gov

 

Tree Pledge & Preregistration Form:

  • I have carefully read all the instructional tree planting handouts.
  • Trees will not be planted between the sidewalk and street, on any city right-of-way or over a sanitary sewer, natural gas, or electrical services, or under electrical or communication wires connecting to the home.
  • Trees should be planted away from any sidewalk or driveway to avoid future root problems that the property owner would be responsible for.
  • Trees will be planted on private property within the City of Milford and will be owned, managed, and cared for by the property owner.
  • Use Call Before You Dig, (800) 922-4455, www.cbyd.com to check for underground utilities.
  • I will plant the tree with the root flare at ground level and will not cover it with dirt or mulch.
  • Immediately after planting, I will give the tree 2-3 gallons of water. Newly planted trees require about 10 gallons of water per week until new root growth becomes established. Water slowly and at ground level. Individual soils may require more or less water. Soil should be damp, not soggy. Do not overwater as plants may drown from a lack of oxygen to their roots or develop root rot. Water until the ground freezes.   
  • Allow Tree Warden, Open Space department to monitor the tree’s survival and health.
  • If I am unable to plant the tree or am no longer able to pick up my selected tree, I will notify the Open Space and Sustainability department.