Lexington Tree Give-Away: December 6th

For the second year in a row, the City of Lexington in partnership with Boxerwood will be distributing free native trees to City residents this month. “The Great Tree Give-Away” will take place on Saturday, December 6th at Richardson Park, 10 am – 2 pm, rain or shine. The give-away supports an existing City plan to increase the urban tree canopy. Co-sponsored by the Lexington Tree Board and the Public Works department, the initiative is an example of successful collaborations facilitated by Healthy Green Neighborhoods, a local partnership network.

As last year, trees for the give-away come from an existing Boxerwood school program, “Growing Native.” In this popular program, hundreds of local schoolchildren each spring place bare root seedlings into pots, for growing out in one of three Boxerwood tree nurseries. Within a year or two, the children’s trees are ready for permanent homes.  “Be assured all trees distributed on Dec. 6 have been planted in their pots with love and enthusiasm,” said Boxerwood sustainability educator, Ginny Johnson, who is coordinating the project.  Available species for 2025 include yard-friendly smaller trees like bushy dogwood, buttonbush, crabapple, and sweetbay magnolia, as well as larger trees such as river birch and red maple.

The trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, limit three per person, and City residents do have the option of reserving their trees online. “Last year demand exceeded supply,” said Johnson, “so we do recommend advance reservation.” As an additional resource, volunteers with digging tools will be on hand to help property owners plant their trees; this optional free service is offered only during the 10 am – 2 pm pick-up window.

Click here for more information, or to reserve up to three native seedlings.