Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to make it clearer that residents participating in the program will not have to plant the trees themselves.
The city of Merriam will soon start giving out dozens of free baby trees to residents who want them planted in their yards.
The city council this week approved a memorandum of understanding with local environmental nonprofit Bridging the Gap for a $50,000 tree grant program, an effort to improve the suburb’s tree canopy.
85 trees available for residents
- Sarah Crowder, senior program manager with Heartland Tree Alliance, a Bridging the Gap subgroup, said they will be handing out one-inch caliper trees — a measure of the tree trunk’s diameter — in planters ranging from 15 to 20 gallons.
- The exact species of tree will be determined on a case-by-case basis after consultation with each resident to determine what their needs are.
- “This is a really progressive, forward partnership here, where we’re looking to help you guys get trees planted in front yards,” Crowder told the city council on Monday.
- Once of the 85 young trees funded through this program are reserved, any other residents wanting trees will be placed on a waiting list and potentially given trees in future years.
Planting will occur this spring and fall
- The spring planting season runs from March to Memorial Day, and the fall season runs from late September to December, Crowder said.
- Heartland Tree Alliance staff will meet with residents and walk them through where to plant the tree and what species to use, Crowder said.
- Staff and volunteers will do the planting, according to the agreement, meaning residents will not have to plant the trees themselves.
Residents will get tips to maintain their new trees
- Heartland and the city are working to develop a website that could be live by next month where residents can start making theirs requests for trees.
- Residents who receive trees will also get watering and maintenance instructions and a one-year warranty, according to city documents.
- Crowder said after the trees are planted, the Heartland team is available for online or in-person support and education.
- A year-end city report will be provided with data from i-Tree, a program that can offer insight into how much carbon the trees will sequester over the 20-year or more lifespan and the stormwater benefit.
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