Eversource, Arbor Day Foundation Hand Out Free Trees In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — Eversource Energy and the Arbor Day Foundation handed out more than 160 trees to Manchester residents at the public works yard on Friday.

It was part of the program to to commemorate Arbor Day and as part of Eversource's "ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship." Eversource and the Arbor Day Foundation planned to distribute more than 1,000 free trees to customers in selected communities across its three-state service territory through the non-profit’s innovative Energy-Saving Trees program.

This year, customers in Manchester and Torrington were eligible to reserve a complimentary tree on a first-come, first-serve basis. Through the initiative, customers had access to an interactive platform that allowed them to view their propertioes and find the best locations to plant their tree to conserve energy, as well as calculate estimated environmental benefits and annual cost savings.

Eligible customers could reserve one free tree per household through the program's online portal.

"Following the successful rollout of the Energy-Saving Trees program last year, we’re excited to extend this initiative to additional communities in Connecticut so that more customers can learn the importance of planting the right tree in the right place," Eversource Manager of Vegetation Management Jenna Turner said. "Not only can properly placed trees help customers save energy, they also provide positive environmental benefits for entire communities from improved air quality to reduced stormwater runoff and supporting biodiversity and pollinators. We're grateful to collaborate with the Arbor Day Foundation on this unique program that aligns with our mission of being responsible environmental stewards across the communities we serve while ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable electricity for our customers."

Added Dan Lambe, the chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "We’re proud to continue our partnership with Eversource to distribute trees in a variety of cities and neighborhoods, which underscores the company’s dedication to sustainability and being a driver of positive change in communities across New England. The trees provided through this program can help improve local air quality while also providing critical energy savings, and we’re thankful to partner with a company that steps up to help create healthier and more resilient communities for the residents they serve."
Eversource works year-round to advance educational partnerships with arborists, municipalities, students and the public about planting the right tree in the right place.