Two efforts to expand the state’s forests are taking root.
Locally, the Downtown Kiwanis Club, Bi-Lo, Tennessee Division of Forestry and the Hamilton County Soil Conservation District have teamed up to distribute trees to the public today at Hamilton Place.
The giveaway will take place on the upper level of the mall across from Piccadilly between 4 and 6 p.m.
More than 3,000 seedlings will be available in five species: yellow poplar, redbud, flowering dogwood, bald cypress and pecan.
Meanwhile, a Nashville-based land planning company, Steve Clark & Associates, is making 100,000 trees available to celebrate its 35th anniversary. Delivery is expected at 10 distribution centers across Tennessee around the first week of April.
The trees are bare-root whips, 24 to 48 inches tall, that are indigenous to Tennessee. Species are nutall oak, overcup oak, sawtooth oak, shumard oak, swamp white oak, tulip poplar, shortleaf pine and bald cypress. Trees will be equally divided among participating counties.
“I heard once that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago,” said company President Chris Clark, “but the second best time to plant one is today.”
Special requests will be considered if received before March 20. Requests may be made at www.FreeTreesTN.com in quantities up to 100.
The local distribution point will be the Walmart on Signal Mountain Road. More information will be announced as plans are finalized.