ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – If you go outside and look around there may be a lot of trees. That’s the good part. There are perks to having trees in a city. We’ll get to that.
If you don’t see many and you are in Rochester Hills, the city wants you to grab a shovel and start turning the dirt.
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In 2020, the city launched a tree program as a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. The city gives away 400 trees each year: half in the spring and half in the fall.
We must thank the trees. According to the foundation, they help absorb the sounds of urban traffic by as much as 40% and neighborhoods with trees are 7 to 9 degrees cooler. That in turn reduces energy costs by up to 25% where trees shelter buildings from the sun and offer protection in winter.
Planting and maintaining trees also absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of climate change.
Rochester Hills is the only city in the county and one of two in Michigan participating in the foundation’s Community Canopy program. Holland is the other city.
The 1-to-4-inch trees are shipped to residents, where they will be planted and maintained by the homeowner.
Trees are sold out for the fall handouts, but here’s how you can apply in the future.