Tree Giveaway to Return Next Weekend

Forest Hills residents will be able to take home a tree or two this coming weekend during a giveaway at MacDonald Park.

The Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance will hold a tree giveaway from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the park, located on Queens Boulevard at 70th Avenue, on Oct. 13.

The group has held five giveaways and handed out as many as 800 trees since June 2011 in an attempt to restore the city’s tree canopy, said Michael Perlman, the event’s coordinator.

“A feeling of rejuvenation dominates as our trees and flowers are in bloom each spring and the inspiration continues as the season passes into autumn,” he said.  

A total 150 trees will be given away during the event.

Attendees will be able to choose from four varieties of tree, including 50 Tulip Trees, 50 Sweetbay Magnolias, 25 Pagoda Dogwoods and 25 Allegheny Serviceberry trees.

Perlman said a majority of the trees given away are planted locally at homes or at buildings, such as the Howard Apartments, Parker Towers, Park Manor and the Park Embassy. But some adopters plant the trees in other boroughs.

The event is held in conjunction with the New York Restoration Project and Millions Trees NYC, which is a city Parks Department plan to plant one million trees in the city in 10 years that started in 2007.

“Many community residents did not realize the benefits of trees until century-old trees succumbed in seconds during the September 2010 macroburst, which was followed by Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy,” Perlman said. “Trees enhance a community’s aesthetics, property values and our environmental sustainability.”

Those who plan on adopting a tree should line up at MacDonald Park earlier than 1 p.m. this Sunday.

To reserve a tree, visit the tree giveaway’s site.