The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) is working to make the city a bit greener, and this April and May they’re giving away free trees across NYC!
This free tree giveaway started in 2010 as part of the MillionTreesNYC initiative, and this spring they have more native species to give away. These species include:
- Alleghany Serviceberry
- American Hazelnut
- American Persimmon
- American Plum
- Bald Cypress
- Basswood
- Beach Plum
- Black Cherry
- Black Gum
- Eastern Redbud
- Elderberry
- Flowering Dogwood
- Fragrant Sumac
- Gray Birch
- Hackberry
- Hornbeam
- Northern Bayberry
- Northern Red Oak
- Pagoda Dogwood
- Pussy Willow
- Red Maple
- Silver Maple
- Smooth Alder
- Sweetbay Magnolia
- Sweetgum
- Sycamore
- Tulip Poplar
- Washington Hawthorn
- White Fringe Tree
- Witchhazel
Bette Midler founded the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) in 1995 by picking up trash in a park, and it has since evolved into an environmental justice nonprofit and citywide nature conservancy.
Today, NYRP’s mission is to combat the climate crisis, and their free tree giveaway is an effort to emphasize the role trees play in nature—they provide shade and oxygen, provide wildlife with shelter and habitats, reduce temperatures, improve the quality of our air, and mitigate stormwater run-off.
In order to receive a free tree all you have to do is register online. Then, once registered, choose one of their many pick-up locations and times across all five boroughs.
This free tree giveaway takes place on Saturdays and Sundays now through Sunday, May 12. Learn more here.