Vail’s free tree give-away returns Oct. 15-17

The Town of Vail’s free tree give-away returns Oct. 15-17 with the annual Trees for Vail event.

Residents who show proof of Vail residency or home ownership will be eligible to pick up one free tree to be planted within the town. The give-away will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Town of Vail Community Department parking lot while supplies last. The 80 aspen available trees will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to one tree per household. A brochure will accompany each tree with information on tree planting instructions and the town’s wildfire reduction efforts.

Town Environmental Sustainability Manager Kristen Bertuglia is organizing the effort. “Planting trees in the Town of Vail will replace trees lost to disease and add a noteworthy beautification to our town.” she said, “trees have numerous environmental benefits beyond habitat, providing shade and lowered energy costs, air quality and stormwater runoff improvement, and they slow climate change by trapping carbon in their leaves, trunk and roots.”

Trees for Vail was initiated in 1992 by community members and continued until 1998, resurrected in 2009. For details about the upcoming tree planning activities, contact Bertuglia at 970-477-3455 or kbertuglia@vailgov.com.