MWC Residents Can Register to Receive One of 200 Free Trees
MARCH 2022 - It’s one of the most highly-anticipated announcements for our residents, the tree giveaway from the City of Midwest City and the Midwest City Tree Board is back. We’ve partnered again to give away 200 five-gallon trees, but this year, residents could have the opportunity to select one of six species of tree.
The species of tree available for the 2022 tree giveaway include Autumn Fantasy Red Maple, Black Gum, Brandywine Red Maple, Eastern Redbud, October Glory Red Maple and Willow Oak (supply for each species will be limited).
Registration opens at 8 p.m., Thursday, March 10, 2022 and closes immediately when 200 trees have been reserved.
To reserve a tree, residents will need to visit the City’s website, midwestcityok.org. Tree giveaway information will be linked from the homepage and News page. Registration will not open until 8 p.m., March 10, and residents should be aware that these trees are in very high demand. Interested residents are encouraged to access the site as soon as registration opens and complete the process quickly. A reservation is not made until registration is completed and submitted.
“This is an amazing partnership for Midwest City,” said Public Works Director Paul Streets. “Trees enhance the community by creating an enjoyable place to work and live. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, they benefit the health and sustainability of our neighborhoods, help keep our air clean and they support wildlife & pollinators. We are happy to join with the Midwest City Tree Board on this program and we’re looking forward to the positive benefits these trees will bring to our community.”
The tree giveaway is limited to one tree per household and recipients will be required to show proof of Midwest City residency. Residents who successfully reserve a tree will need to bring photo identification and a recent utility bill showing the same address. Residents will also need a vehicle that can transport a five-gallon tree that is approximately four to six feet in height.
Reserved trees will be distributed on Saturday, March 26, at Rotary Pavilion in Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E. Reno Ave. A brief event will kick-off the tree giveaway at 10:30 a.m. and will include a demonstration of tree planting and tethering by Jamie Lowrie, Public Works Facility Project Supervisor.
Residents who successfully reserve a tree must pick it up at this event and are encouraged to plant the tree within a few days.
Scouts BSA Troop #122 and other volunteers will be on hand to assist those who need help loading a tree into their vehicle. Trees cannot be delivered. Trees that are not picked up on the day of the giveaway will not be held in reserve.
Midwest City has been a Tree City USA for 39 years of this 40-year-old program. The Midwest City Tree Board was created in 1980 to advise the City Council on its public tree initiatives.
Members of the Tree Board include Linda “Suzi” Byrne, Susan Glapion, Lou Atkinson, Marcus Hayes, Sherry Beaird, Aruna Abhayagoonawardhana and Theresa Mortimer.
The Tree Board meets the second Tuesday of January, April, July and October at noon at the Charles J. Johnson Building, Room C at 8726 SE 15th St. The public is welcome to attend.
