Miami-Dade County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) kicks off its annual Adopt-a-Tree program on Sat., May 16, by giving away over 2,000 trees in Hialeah Gardens. Eligible homeowners can receive up to two free trees, including edible trees and natives, at Hialeah Gardens Senior High School, 11700 Hialeah Gardens Blvd., starting at 8:30am.
Preregistration is now open at miamidade.gov/adopt-a-tree.
For May 16, the planned tree selection includes:
- Black Ironwood
- Black Sapote
- Cherimoya
- Florida Fiddlewood
- Grafted Jackfruit
- Grafted Mango
- Green Buttonwood
- Jamaican Caper
- Mamey
- Soursop
- Spanish Stopper
“Trees strengthen our community in countless ways: they lower temperatures, reduce air conditioning costs, clean our air, beautify our homes, increase property values, absorb excess rain, and help buffer against storm surge,” says Miami-Dade mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Each tree planted today is a gift for tomorrow, so we invite all homeowners to take advantage of this great program.”
Homeowners of single-family and duplex properties in Miami-Dade County can receive up to two free trees per year through the program.
Created 25 years ago, Adopt-a-Tree was a collaborative effort of community groups, agricultural interests and government agencies to increase the tree canopy in Miami-Dade County while raising awareness of the value of shade trees and a thriving urban tree canopy. DERM staff and partner organizations are on hand share proper planting techniques and care so new trees survive the initial establishment period.
Two other Adopt-a-Tree events have been scheduled for this year:
Sun., July 19, from 8:30am – 11:30am
Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 St, North Miami
Sat., Sept. 12, from 8:30am–11:30am
Zoo Miami
12400 SW 152nd St., Miami
