WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) is sponsoring a tree planting initiative that will provide 50 utility-friendly trees at no cost to customers. The WMGLD will also plant an additional 50 trees along public ways this fall through its existing tree planting program. This program was developed by WMGLD to support the American Public Power Association (APPA) “Tree Power Initiative” and Arbor Day Foundation’s “The Power of Trees.”
The WMGLD’s participation in the tree planting program compliments the WMGLD’s ongoing commitment to environmental justice initiatives as well as its sustainability efforts to provide energy-saving opportunities for customers while reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
“This tree initiative emphasizes the importance of trees as a natural solution to improving and beautifying the community, and reducing energy consumption,” WMGLD General Manager Pete Dion said. “Trees not only protect our homes from summer sun and winter winds, they improve our overall health and well-being by filtering stormwater, reducing carbon emissions, and providing energy savings of up to 30%.”
According to WMGLD Engineering and Operations Manager Dave Polson, the 50-customer trees will be provided without charge to qualifying customers and planted on the property in an area approved by the WMGLD. One utility-friendly tree will be provided after the WMGLD determines that the location and conditions are conducive to healthy tree growth. A tree arborist will plant the tree and customers will be responsible for maintaining the tree and ensuring the healthy growth of their tree.
Participation will be on a first come, first-served basis and is limited to 50 customers.
As with the WMGLD and Town tree replacement and vegetation management program along public ways, low-growing tree species have been selected after careful research by the WMGLD, an arborist, and the Wakefield Department of Public Works Forestry Department. The type of the tree planted in each location is dependent on a number of factors, including proximity to houses, utility lines and other structures, as well as the width of the planting lawn. The utility-friendly tree species selected to reduce tree and overhead wire conflicts include saucer magnolia, Japanese lilac tree, Chinese fringe tree, trident maple, and kousa dogwood; backyard shade trees which will not impact overhead wires include red maple, sugar maple and tulip trees.
The WMGLD has already planted nearly 200 utility-friendly trees under or near power lines on several streets to replace ones that have either been damaged or felled by winds and storms or removed as part of the proactive line maintenance and annual vegetation management programs.
To be considered for this tree initiative, customers must call the WMGLD at 718-246-6363 to apply. Applications will be accepted between April 4 and April 29, 2022. The WMGLD will review the property and placement options to determine if the customer qualifies.
For further information visit the website: www.wmgld.com.
