Just in time for fall planting, Fairfax County residents can obtain a free tree to plant on their property — and even have it delivered to their front door.
The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services’ Urban and Community Forestry Division (UCFD), in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, is offering the trees to all residents, while supplies last. The initiative launched in the spring and was revived in August.
Trees were limited during the program’s first two weeks to people living in neighborhoods that rank “high” or “very high” on the federal Social Vulnerability Index. The UCFD will now give away the remaining stock from that late-summer initiative to residents anywhere in the county.
“When planted properly, these trees will help increase shade, reduce energy use and carbon emissions, improve water quality, reduce urban heat island effects and help make communities cleaner and greener,” the UCFD said in a press release.
Residents can obtain their tree by entering the address where it will be planted at https://get.arborday.org/fairfaxcountydirectship. All of the trees offered will be non-invasive, native to the region; some of the current offerings, as of yesterday (Oct. 1), included baldcypress, black oak, river birch, willow oak, and southern red oak.
The online tool will help residents identify the best location to plant their tree, and provide estimates on how each tree impacts their home’s energy costs. Along with the tree, residents will be provided with tree shelters and stakes.
UCFD is also still currently accepting applications from community groups for its popular tree distribution program, which provides free trees to community groups to plant on privately owned properties. Any local community organization is welcome to participate until Oct. 30.
