QUEENS — Budding Forest Hills arborists will soon have the chance to pick up free trees and plant them around the neighborhood.
Some 200 trees will be up for grabs this year during an event, organized as part of the New York Restoration Project’s annual giveaway, which will take place on May 17 in MacDonald Park, organizers said.
Tree lovers will be able to choose from five species, including American elm, yellowwood, fringe tree, red buckeye and dawn redwood.
This year's selection will “add to the diversity of trees donated at earlier events,” when organizers offered species such as black gum, magnolia and tulip, said Michael Perlman, Forest Hills tree giveaway organizer.
Trees can be planted in residents' backyards, but also near apartment buildings (with permission from their management), in schoolyards or at commercial properties.
Perlman noted that many trees in the area were destroyed by hurricanes in recent years and the giveaway will give locals the chance to plant new trees in the neighborhood.
Trees will be named after local landmarks, historic streets, and notables, which helps foster a relationship between residents and their trees and teaches them about local history, Perlman said.
The event organized annually since 2011 will bring the total number of trees given to Forest Hills residents to approximately 1,250.
“We expect that within 30 years, after most of the trees have grown to maturity, there could be more than 10 acres of tree canopy established in Forest Hills and Rego Park alone from [these] efforts,” said Mike Mitchell, New York Restoration Project director of giveaways, in a statement.
The tree giveaway will take place on Sunday, May 17, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in MacDonald Park near Queens and Yellowstone boulevards. Those interested can reserve a tree at www.treegiveaways.com/4bnpa or by registering for a tree at the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
