2021 Adopt-A-Tree Program Accepting Applications

The City of Elkins Tree Board Adopt-A-Tree program returns this fall with a goal of having more young trees planted throughout the city. The Adopt-A-Tree program provides a free young tree to selected homeowners in each of the city’s five wards. Application deadline for residents is Friday, October 15.

Members of the Elkins Tree Board encourage residents in all five wards interested in adopting a tree to fill out the application. The selected tree owner commits to taking care of the tree for a minimum of three years and board members can provide advice throughout that period.

The young trees should be planted in front of the home or business and the type of tree will vary according to the site location. Preferred locations are in the designated tree lawn—the grassy area located between the street and the sidewalk—to help create a green, cooling canopy. The homeowner will be responsible for planting the tree within two weeks of receiving it.

The goal of the program is to cool the streetscape, provide shade for those walking on city sidewalks and encourage everyone to plant more trees in town. The benefits of planting trees are numerous. Not only do trees improve the aesthetics of a neighborhood, but they also assist with decreasing water run-off, reducing air-conditioning costs, and muffling noise pollution. Most importantly, trees remove significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the major contributing factor to climate change.

Applications are available online on the Elkins Friends of Trees Facebook page and the City of Elkins website, as well as at Elkins City Hall (401 Davis Avenue). Deadline for submission is October 15, 2021, and trees will be distributed no later than October 30. For further information, contact Marilynn Cuonzo, chair, Elkins Tree Board, at 304.636.5900 or mcuonzo@cityofelkinswv.com.

The Elkins Tree Board meets the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Darden House (next door to city hall). The public is welcome to attend. The board offers workshops and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Please visit the Elkins Friends of Trees Facebook page to learn more.