Free Trees Available

Riverside Public Utilities’ customers may once again claim a free shade tree they can plant in their yard or outside of their business, courtesy of the department.

For the 15th consecutive year, customers may present their March billing statement at one of four city nurseries and receive a tree free of charge, said Heather Raymond, spokeswoman for the utilities department.

More than 160,000 trees have been handed out to residential and commercial customers since the program began, and approximately 7,500 to 8,000 are expected to be distributed this year, Raymond said.

The program not only beautifies the city, it also helps cut greenhouse gas emissions and energy use and gives boost to several city businesses, Raymond said.

“We’ve always gotten a good response to this program ever since it started,” Raymond said. “It’s not overwhelming, but we always seems to distribute a solid number of trees. As hot as it’s been so far this year, I think we will do well.”

The utility’s paperless customers will be receive their shade tree coupons by mid to late March. For more information about the free shade tree program visit GreenRiverside.com.