Free Trees Available For Manchester Residents For Earth Day

MANCHESTER, NJ — Free tree seedlings are available to Manchester residents this month, to help restore trees that were hurt destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.

Seedlings are available on a first come, first served basis on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23, the township said. Residents can come to the town hall at 1 Colonial Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. those days. The young trees come with instructions on how to store, plant, and take care of them.

Residents should plant the trees within 48 hours of picking them up so the roots don't dry out, the township said.

"The goal of the Tree Recovery Campaign is to distribute over 500,000 tree seedlings to New Jersey residents over the course of the next five years," the announcement on the township website says. "It is a joint effort between Manchester Township, New Jersey State Forest Service, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, Sustainable Jersey, Arbor Day Foundation, Brothers International, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, and FedEx."

"When properly planted and maintained, trees can be assets to a community. They improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood or business district, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits."