Ocala Electric Utility is providing free trees to customers through Energy-Saving Trees, an Arbor Day Foundation program that focuses on conserving energy and reducing energy bills through the strategic planting of trees.
Ocala Electric Utility customers can click here to reserve their free trees. An online tool helps customers estimate the annual energy savings that will result from planting trees in the most strategic location near their homes or businesses.
Customers can reserve one tree, and they will also receive instructions for caring and planting the tree in the best location provided by the online tool. The types of trees offered include Crapemyrtle, Eastern Redbud, Lily Magnolia, Nellie R. Stevens Holly, and Red Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica).
The free trees are available through Friday, June 30, while supplies last. The trees will be delivered directly to customers at an ideal time for planting.
The “Energy-Saving Trees” online tool was created by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Davey Institute, a division of Davey Tree Expert Co., and it uses peer-reviewed scientific research from the USDA Forest Service’s i-Tree software to calculate estimated benefits. In addition to providing approximate energy savings, the tool also estimates the trees’ other benefits, including cleaner air, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and improved storm water management.
For more information, or to reserve a tree, visit the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees webpage.