The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program and Branch Out Burlington are partnering to offer a free tree giveaway for schools. A maximum of 10 schools can receive one or two trees each.
Eligibility & Dates
- Schools in Addison, Chittenden and Washington counties are eligible to apply for one or two bare root trees.
- Applications are due November 20, 2024.
- Trees are required to be picked up on April 26 or 27, 2025 and planted quickly. The trees are bare root and need to be planted in order to prevent the roots from drying out.
Program Overview
How It Works: Eligible groups may apply to reserve 1-2 bare root trees by November 20. You will provide a site description and we will select the species appropriate for that location. Several options are available, including shade trees (birch, oak, elm), fruit trees (pear, cherry, plum). You'll hear back within a week about your reservation status and selected species for a spring pick up event.
Tree Pickup Dates: Trees will be available for pickup on only Friday, April 26 or Saturday April 27, 2025 at the UVM Horticultural Research Center, South Burlington.
Planting: For the best chance of success, plant your trees as soon as possible, and no later than 2 days after pickup.
Celebrate: We encourage you to host an educational or community event to mark your tree planting.
Commitment to care: To ensure long-term success, participants must pledge to provide regular watering, care, and maintenance for their new trees.
A bare root tree is a tree that is grown in a nursery and then dug up and sold without soil around its roots.
Bare Root Trees
- Lightweight: They are easier to transport and plant because they are much lighter without the soil.
- Healthy Root Systems: Bare root trees can have up to 200% more roots than balled and burlapped or container trees, depending on the soil and transplanting history at the nursery.
However, they do need to be planted quickly to prevent the roots from drying out. With no soil, the roots can dry out and die if left exposed for any time.
Applications
Submit an application by November 20th, 2024. For more information on this program, contact Gwen Kozlowski at gwen.kozlowski@uvm.edu or 802-656-7638.