MENDOCINO CO., 3/20/25 — Likely you’ve witnessed PG&E or its contractors cutting overhanging branches from power lines. You’ve almost certainly endured power outages during storms, usually caused by falling trees or branches. Now the utility is trying to nip the maintenance effort in the bud by encouraging people to plant trees in a good spot, where branches won’t interfere with power lines as the trees grow.
PG&E, in partnership with Arbor Day Foundation, is providing 3,000 free trees to eligible customers across its service area as part of its effort to keep communities safe by planting the right tree in the right place.
“Planting trees in our communities offers many long-term benefits, including cleaner air and a reduced carbon-footprint,” said Dave Canny, vice president for PG&E’s North Coast region. “Our partnership with Arbor Day Foundation is a great opportunity for eligible customers in the North Coast to sign up for a free native California tree to plant where they live or work. We encourage customers to participate – and to keep their community safe by planting their tree in the right place.”
Eligible customers can sign up and reserve a tree at www.arborday.org/pge by inserting their address. Trees will be delivered to the customer’s address six weeks after the order date. Each household can reserve up to one tree from the following options while supplies last:
- Japanese Red Maple
- Redbud
- Flowering Dogwood
- Kousa Dogwood
- Japanese Snowbell
- Tulip Tree
PG&E’s “Right Tree, Right Place” resources provide guidelines on tree planting to ensure a safe distance from overhead or underground electric or gas lines. For more information from the Arbor Day Foundation, visit https://www.arborday.org/trees
This article is not true. Yesterday, I emailed the arbor day foundation about free trees. Today, I received an answer back. The gist of the message is this part: “Unfortunately, we do not have the financial ability as a non-profit organization to offer free or discounted trees for your needs. We do try to keep our Tree Nursery prices lower than those you would find at a local nursery or other for-profit business. We would be happy to send you a free copy of the Tree Book (our Tree Nursery catalog), so that you may see our tree selection and possibly place an order in the future.” I suggest you retrack your article.
I did get a free tree, maybe they only had a few? I’m in Mendocino county.
If PG&E is giving away trees, how can someone contact PG&E to sign up? I saw another article that said the trees have already been reserved. When is the next time they will offer free trees. How old is this article? Something’s wrong about it.