Central Florida Green Guide

Orange County residents can adopt a tree for free compliments of Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty’s ReNEW program, along with Cooperative Extension.  The program is being used to encourage residents to add trees to their landscape to help the environment.  Trees provide oxygen, filter pollution, and create habitats for wildlife.  Adding trees also replenishes lost canopy due to storm damage, age, and development.  And of course, pride of ownership, a sense of accomplishment and increased property value are added perks.

Orange County residents who want to participate need to register upon arrival at a Streetscape Adopt-a-Tree event and provide proof of Orange County residency, such as a driver license, photo I.D., or utility bill.  No pre-registration is necessary at an Adopt-a-Tree event.  Trees will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Participants must attend a 15 minute educational session to learn to plant and care for their new trees before receiving them.  The supply limits two 5-gallon trees per household.  Depending on availability, which is subject to change, trees include Live Oak, Sand Live Oak, Southern Magnolia, Red Maple, and Bald Cypress.  Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer landscape questions.

Below are the 2008 Streetscape Adopt-A-Tree events dates and locations.  Adopt-a-Tree events begin at 8 a.m., and last until noon, or until all the available trees have found a home.

For more information, contact the Streetscape Adopt-a-Tree program at the Orange County Extension Center, 407.254.9200.  Funding for this program is courtesy of Orange County: Residents and Neighborhoods Empowered to Win.