Bartlett Tree Experts handing out thousands of seedlings Friday

STAMFORD, Conn. – On Arbor Day this Friday, Bartlett Tree Experts will give away 21,000 tree seedlings in communities across the U.S.  These trees will be distributed as part of the Bartlett Legacy Tree Program, which has distributed over 310,000 seedlings since its inception five years ago.

The Legacy Tree Program, celebrating its fifth anniversary, was established by Bartlett Tree Experts in 2014 to support tree planting and stewardship in local communities through the annual distribution of seedlings in schools, at events and to reforestation efforts.  In 2019, a total of 75,000 trees will be distributed by Bartlett Tree Experts employees.  Nearly one-third of those seedlings will be handed out or planted as part of this year’s Arbor Day festivities, events and activities in a variety of locations.

“We encourage every one of our arborist representatives to distribute a minimum of 100 seedlings each year,” said Bartlett’s Patrick Franklin, the program's manager. “Our arborists decide how their trees will be distributed. They love participating because they get to network and meet new people while also promoting the importance of tree planting.  It really has been an amazing way to bring trees and people together.”

With all of Bartlett’s 120+ offices participating in the program over the last five years, seedlings have been given away in over 30 U.S. states, three Canadian provinces and numerous locations in greater London in the United Kingdom, as well as Ireland.  

“No matter where we are, people love receiving the trees and seeing we have a program in place to help the urban tree canopy,” Franklin said.

The tree seedlings include a variety of native species with the top three being dogwood, redbud and swamp white oak. Species selection varies by geographic region with a focus on increasing the local diversity of native tree populations.