City of Norman hosting 2024 Tree Giveaway on November 15, 2024

The City of Norman Parks & Recreation Department will be hosting the "Right Tree, Right Place" tree giveaway beginning at 9 a.m. on November 15, 2024, at Griffin Community Park, 1001 E. Robinson St.

The city has partnered with the Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC), First United Bank of Norman, Grissom Landscape Nursery and the Norman Park Foundation to give away at least 300 treesto Norman residents.

The Right Tree, Right Place program is promoted by power companies as a way to increase awareness about not planting trees near overhead power lines. The tree species offered this year are the Prairiefire Crabapple, the BluePoint Juniper, the Little Gem Southern Magnolia and the Brandywine Red Maple. All the species can remain relatively compact.

"Part of it was wanting to keep things that were smaller in stature and something that would work well around power lines," said Colin Zink, City of Norman forester.

Proper placement of trees not only helps beautify the neighborhood, but it can reduce summertime electricity bills, increase property values, minimize erosion and reduce pollution.

"Any time you can plant a tree anywhere, it's going to give us those environmental benefits," Zink said. He will be at the tree giveaway to help answer questions and advise residents on best planting practices and how to care for their trees.

"This is really the best time of year to plant a tree," he said. "While it may not look like much is going on aboveground, most of the growth is going on below ground." That growth helps establish a healthy root system for the tree and allows it to be well-established when spring rains arrive.

To avoid traffic backups, residents should use the main park entrance on the north side of Robinson, between Gillis Dr. and 12th Ave. NE. Zink reminds residents not to arrive before 8 a.m. to allow staff time to set up for the event and also asked that only westbound traffic on Robinson use the driveway. The left-turn-lane into the park for eastbound traffic will be blocked off.

Normanites wishing to participate in this event should bring proof of residence. Only one tree per household will be allowed, but neighbors may carpool to pick up multiple trees as long as they have identification that show different addresses.

In addition to the City Forester, recreation center staff will be there to check people in, inquire on their preferred type of tree, and provide them with an informational card that includes planting instructions for the species.

Call 405-366-5472 for more information.

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