Free Trees

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality notes that trees improve air and water quality, reduce flooding, reduce cooling and heating energy needs, increase property values and improve quality of life for people around them. Crime rates are lower in areas with many trees, and businesses that provide tree shaded parking in summer experience 10 percent more shoppers than businesses that don’t have shaded parking.

POPLARVILLE — Free native trees will be available for both public and private properties this winter through the Replant South Mississippi Program.

Replant South Mississippi is a partnership between the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain and the Sun Herald, with funding assistance from the Mississippi Forestry Commission, the Home Depot Foundation, and other sources. The purpose of the partnership is to restore the tree canopy greatly damaged by Hurricane Katrina, working together to enhance the public view and diversify the urban forest across the six southern counties of Mississippi.

http://www.picayuneitem.com/local/local_story_262125446.html