Evansville officials celebrated Arbor Day by distributing free trees.
The event at Wesselman Park drew car after car -- and the small trees and saplings quickly disappeared.
Evansville Arborist Shawn Dickerson told me the city can’t plant enough trees on its own…
"It's up to the residents to help us plant trees on their properties to help us reach our intitiative. And one way to do that is to do free tree giveaway events like this."
Dickerson stressed the importance of a “tree canopy”…
"The shade that they provide reduces our heat island effect, it helps clean our air, it helps keep storm water out of our sewers and therefore getting into the river and they provide so many other benefits. And the multitude of the trees working together in the urban environment can help reach our goals, to help us have a cleaner environment for our citizens."
Dickerson says it’s important to choose the right tree for the right spot and to call 8-1-1 before digging to make sure there are no utility lines nearby.
Taking part in the tree giveaway were CenterPoint Energy, On the Spot Utility Resources, and Keep Evansville Beautiful.
