53 new trees arrived in their new homes this weekend. Our Specimen Tree Restoration Program, now in its 8th consecutive year, has distributed 517 free trees to Newport residents who have agreed to care for them.
Why do we give away trees to residents instead of planting them in sidewalks or parks? Simply put, the trees are happier.
Public spaces can be pretty stressful if you're a young tree, there's wind, pollution, soil compaction, damage, and a lack of consistent water to contend with. As a result, the trees we plant in public spaces need to be large, hardy, and closely monitored in order to content with these adverse conditions.
By contrast, trees in private spaces have it much easier. This means we can purchase a wider range of smaller trees that will be closely monitored in their adopted homes for a fraction of the cost and care required for public trees. It's a win-win for Newport: residents receive high-quality trees to spruce up their yards, and the city as a whole reaps the benefits of additional shade, storm-water filtration, carbon sequestration, and bio-diversity.
