After a few years' growth, you could be escaping the hot East Texas summer sun underneath the shade for your hardwood tree that you planted in your yard for free! The City of Tyler has partnered with the Texas A&M Forestry Service and will be giving away 800 hardwood seedlings to the public. Tyler City Arborist Cody Goldman says,

We are still seeing mature trees that are dying from recent drought conditions. These seedlings, when cared for properly, will eventually replace many of the hardwoods lost from Tyler’s urban forest."

The trees will be donated from the Texas A&M Forest Service with an effort to replace trees that have been lost through the natural process. Representatives will be on hand to let you know how to properly plant and care for the seedling. You may pick up a hardwood tree seedling Saturday, February 20th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Broadway Crossing Shopping Center between Lowe's and Chick-Fil-A.

Tree varieties that will be given away include:

  • Cherrybark Oak
  • Northern Red Oak
  • Overcup Oak
  • Sawtooth Oak
  • Swamp White Oak
  • Eastern Redbud
  • Persimmon
  • Yellow Poplar

Zaina Gates from the East Texas Regional Urban Forester says,

We are proud to be able to offer this to the City of Tyler. The trees we are giving away may be small today, but they will grow into beautiful, healthy trees in a few years."

More From Mix 93.1