Unitil’s forestry crews were busy last week delivering 600 trees and shrubs that were donated to some customers for spring planting around their properties as part of a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation.
The trees and shrubs were provided to customers in targeted areas within the company’s electric service territories in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
More than 7,200 trees and shrubs have been planted since the tree giveaway effort was launched in 2015 when Unitil – a provider of electricity and natural gas to customers in New England – teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation to offer replacement trees to customers who allowed the utility to remove trees on their properties as part of its Storm Resiliency Program.
The plants are traditionally donated around the time of Arbor Day – a tree planting holiday that’s held in New England on the last Friday in April as a way to launch the region’s tree-planting season, encourage more people to plant, and highlight the importance of planting trees as a simple and effective way to invest in environmental sustainability.
“This is an annual giveaway that has involved more than 3,500 customers who have been able to plant new trees and shrubs in appropriate locations over the years that are providing long-term energy, community and environmental benefits,” said Unitil External Affairs Manager Amanda Vicinanzo. “We would also like to thank those customers for their cooperation and understanding during this tree trimming work that has been a critical part of Unitil’s Storm Resiliency Program, which has been an effective way to reduce the number of power outages on our system.”
The program has improved electric reliability by providing enhanced tree pruning and removal of hazardous trees in specific locations that are chosen based on several factors, including the number of customers affected, site conditions, line configurations, and critical infrastructures identified by towns.
According to Chris Moultroup, Unitil’s Manager of Forestry Operations, the species of trees and shrubs that were available to customers this year included Red Maple, Sweetbay Magnolia, Highbush Blueberry, Persimmon, Black Tupelo, and Satyr Hill American Holly.
The selection typically features a variety of tall trees that can be planted anywhere on the property to reduce energy use, and low growing trees and shrubs that could be planted under power lines. The Arbor Day Foundation provides Unitil with a list of species options in the fall, and members of the company’s forestry department choose a variety of options to give to customers like Brianna Debitetto, who received two black tupelo trees for her property.
Debitetto is looking forward to getting the trees planted this spring. “We’re really excited that we were given the opportunity,” she said.
Alan Perkins received two red maple trees that he plans to plant at his home. “I’ve got some trees out in the back that are dying so I’d like to get some more shade,” he said. This year’s tree giveaway recipients are hoping they’ll have success growing their new plantings like customer Michael Saindon did when he was given two Rose of Sharon bushes in 2015 after some trees were trimmed near his residence. The flowering shrubs that burst with colorful blooms in the summer were a foot tall when they were planted along the side of his garage, but they’ve done well and now stand about 8 feet tall. “They’re doing great and look nice with all the flowers. We’re very happy with them,” he said.
Customers who have received new trees and shrubs can take the opportunity to plant them in locations that could provide future energy savings. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that a tree planted in a proper spot can provide effective shade to reduce the need for air conditioning; serve as a windbreak during the winter months to lower heating costs; and lower energy bills – some by as much as 25% for an average household that carefully positions its tree plantings.
To learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation, visit www.arborday.org.
Additional information on Unitil’s Storm Resiliency Program can be found at https://unitil.com/energy-projects/storm-resiliency-program.
