If your yard could use a little extra shade — and you are a homeowner in San Jose — a free tree could be in your future.
Our City Forest, a San Jose-based nonprofit group that evangelizes for street trees and the urban canopy, has partnered with PG&E to offer free shade trees to homeowners who apply. The program, first announced in the fall, is being extended through April.
“Shade & Save” is designed to help homeowners cut their summer cooling costs. Any San Jose resident-homeowner who is a Pacific Gas & Electric customer, has air conditioning and yard space for a shade tree may apply. Renters also may apply with homeowner consent.
Our City Forest and PG&E estimate that a mature, strategically placed shade tree can shave 30 percent off cooling costs. Appropriately planted trees also can boost property values.
Requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Our City Forest staff will schedule a consultation with one of its certified arborists to discuss placement. If a suitable location is determined, the organization will plant and stake the tree at no charge.
For more information see:
http://www.mercurynews.com/2009/01/23/s-j-homeowners-eligible-for-free-trees/
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