Seven Morris Towns Participating in Forest Service Arbor Day Seedlings Program

Published on April 02, 2018

FREE PROGRAM -- FRIDAY OR SATURDAY

The state Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Parks and Forestry, in connection with Arbor Day, is making 90,000 free tree seedlings available to residents throughout New Jersey, including seven Morris County locations this Friday or Saturday, April 27-28.

(JPG, 167KB)Registered municipalities in Morris County and across the state will receive up to 2,000 seedlings per town for distribution to residents through the Tree Recovery Campaign, an effort of the New Jersey Forest Service, the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation and other partners.

Locations in Morris County:

  • Denville: April 27, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at Department of Public Works, 140 Morris Avenue;
  • Madison: April 27, 12 noon to 2 p.m. AND 5-6 p.m., at Drew University Simon Pool, or gym if raining;
  • Mountain Lakes: April 27, 1:45 p.m., at the Wildwood School, 51 Glen Road;
  • Morris Twp.: April 28, 10 a.m., at Ginty Pool Parking Lot, 35 Fanok Road; AND at the Sussex Pool, 2 Inamere Road;
  • Parsippany-Troy Hills: April 27, 11 a.m., at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Blvd.;
  • Pequannock: April 28, 9 a.m., at Town Hall, front parking lot;
  • Rockaway Borough: April 28, 9 a.m., at 21-25 Union Street.

Municipal residents are eligible to receive bundles of five free seedlings at any distribution site.

Check the interactive map for distribution locations in Morris County and in neighboring counties.

Divison of Parks and Forestry logo(PNG, 7KB)The State Forest Service Nursery in Jackson, Ocean County, will distribute more than 30 species of trees through this effort, launched to help communities after Superstorm Sandy destroyed and damaged trees in 2012. Since then, the program has made more than a half-million trees available to residents

Communities will receive species that grow well in their region, said New Jersey Forest Service Chief Todd Wyckoff. Municipalities in the northern part of the state may receive sugar maple or black oak trees.''

Some tips:

  • Plant seedlings promptly to ensure they take root and thrive.
  • Be mindful of the planting site's surroundings by avoiding overhead utility lines and proximity to structures in case of storms and consider the size of the tree when fully grown.
  • Moisten roots before planting.
  • Dig a hole two to three times larger than the roots when spread apart. Do not plant roots too deep or shallow.
  • Add loose soil gently, then add more soil and pack down firmly. Add water to firm the soil if necessary.
  • Place wood-chip mulch around the base of the seedling.
  • Water the seedling regularly but do not over-water, as this can cause roots to rot.

photo of man watering seedlings at state tree nursery in Jackson(JPG, 25KB) State nursery in Jackson

All New Jersey residents may buy additional tree seedlings in packets of 50 that start at $18. For more information on these programs, visit www.forestnursery.org or call (732) 928-0029.

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