Southbridge Tree Planting
Planting 1,000 Trees in Southbridge
Opacum is leading a multi-year collaborative project to plant 1,000 trees in the urban neighborhoods of Southbridge. Modeled on Massachusetts’s Greening the Gateway Cities Program of urban tree planting, the goal of this project is to improve community health and provide economic benefits to Southbridge residents by improving air quality and reducing temperatures through increased tree cover. With funding from the U.S. Forest Service and trees provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we will plant 1,000 young trees (6-10 feet high) on public and private properties in Southbridge. See map below.
Benefits of Trees
Save
Money
Shade trees in your neighborhood can cut summer cooling costs by 30-40%.
Improve
Health
Kids in tree-lined neighborhoods have lower rates of asthma. Trees filter the air by removing dust and absorbing air pollutants.
Combat
Climate Change
Trees counter climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air.
Add
Value
Trees and landscaping can raise property values up to 20%.
Free Trees for Southbridge Owners and Renters
A greener world starts right out your window. We need trees more than ever to refresh our outlooks, our air quality and our neighborhoods.
It not only helps the environment — it’s helping your environment and that of your family, neighbors and friends. And you can get a tree planted where you live at no cost to you! All we ask is that you commit to caring for and watering your trees for three years. We’ll show you how to take care of your trees, and before you know it, they’ll grow to be beautiful and beneficial!
Steps to get Free Trees
- 1: Sign up using the following form.
- 2: We’ll check if your property is in our eligible planting zone. We’re trying to make the biggest impact possible with 1,000 trees so we’re prioritizing planting in areas that need it most. Sign up and we’ll let you know if you’re eligible.
- 3: We’ll call you to schedule a time to visit your property, so we can identify the trees best suited to your site and your preferences. All trees are custom ordered for your specific property!
- 4: During the visit, we’ll ask you to sign a release giving us permission to the plant the tree(s). You’ll also need to commit to watering your trees weekly for the first 3 years.
- 5: Then leave the rest to us- we’ll order the trees, call Dig Safe and come back in a few weeks to plant them.
How You Can Help
- Volunteer to help water trees- the trees need a lot of watering in their first 3 years. You can help by signing up to water specific tree(s) in Southbridge for those early years, or for just a season.
- Join us on a planting day- There’s nothing more rewarding then actually getting to plant a tree! Learn how to plant a tree properly and get your hands dirty by helping us on a planting day.
- Donate- Your support will make a real difference in the community. Click here to donate.
- Sponsor- This is a great opportunity to be a part of an exciting and impactful project in the community. Sponsors can donate financial support, materials and time. We’ll recognize your contributions through our social media, print newsletters and other project materials to help broaden your company’s exposure in the community.
Email Info@Opacum.org or call (508) 347-9144 for more info.
Thank you to our Project Sponsors & Funders
