Fall River giving free trees to property owners: How to request one

FALL RIVER — The city is spending a little green to make its streets greener, and any property owner can take part for free.

Mayor Paul Coogan and the city's Tree Division recently announced they’re using $100,000 in ARPA money to fund a new Front Yard Tree Planting Program over the next two years. The program allows both commercial and residential property owners to apply for a free tree — and the city will even plant it.

It's all part of a plan to beautify the city and provide some environmental benefits. But what's the catch? And how do you take part?

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First, you have to apply for one and submit your application to the city tree warden. Trees have to be planted within 20 feet of a public right-of-way, meaning a sidewalk or street. You can't hog the tree all to yourself.

The city's application lets you describe what kind of tree you'd prefer, and includes a space to sketch the shape of your property and where you want the tree to go.

According to the city, "Planting determinations will be made by the Tree Warden in conjunction with the City's consulting arborist based on the suitability of the proposed planting site, visibility of the tree from the street, order in which application is received, funding and plant availability, and the property's location within the city."

Part of that suitability includes whether the neighborhood has a low "tree equity score," meaning it should have more trees. The score takes into account lots of factors, including existing tree coverage, who lives in the neighborhood by age, race and employment level, health levels of people in the area, and average surface temperature. Information on each neighborhood's score is available at treeequityscore.org.

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Once the city approves your application, it's planting time! Sit back and let nature take its course under the gentle ministrations of the city's Tree Division. A statement from the city says they’ll "coordinate DigSafe, planting, mulching, and staking of the tree." No dirt need touch your hands.

But baby trees are a big responsibility, and keeping it healthy will be your job. The city will give you a 20-gallon Treegator watering bag to keep it nourished. You’ll have to fill the bag with water twice a week from May to September for the first two years.

Keep in mind that, depending on the species of tree, it can take several years or even decades to become fully mature. It's a long-term investment.

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Besides the fact that they're free and look nice?

Trees are natural air filters, sequestering carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, and removing pollutants from the air.

When grown, trees provide shade and reduce air temperatures, which is crucial in fighting the urban heat island effect. An informal study performed during a heat wave last summer showed neighborhoods with the fewest trees recorded the highest air temperatures; that in turn can cause electricity use to soar as people crank up air conditioners to stay cool.

Having trees can also increase property values, since they’re a beautiful and often desirable feature, and are helpful when it comes to mitigating soil erosion and stormwater runoff.

For more details and to find an application, visit https://www.fallriverma.org/front-yard-tree-planting-program/. To ask questions about the program, email the Tree Division at [email protected].

Dan Medeiros can be reached at [email protected]. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.