Norwalk Tree Alliance and Courville Nurseries giving out free shade trees
Aside from how it looks, Courville and the Tree Alliance say the shade trees can also cut down on energy bills by cooling the area.
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During the month of August, and through Labor Day, the Norwalk Tree Alliance and Courville Nurseries are teaming up to give Norwalk residents free shade trees.
"A lot of trees are disappearing in Norwalk, either by utility work, by builders, trees just dying off," said Keith Brousseau, the general manager at Courville nursery.
Because of that, they and the Tree Alliance have set a goal of planting 60,000 trees in the city by 2053.
To participate in the giveaway, residents just need to email courvilleoffice@gmail.com with their name, address, phone number and a picture of where they want to plant it.
Jeff Scherr, the president of the Norwalk Tree Alliance says ideally, "we want to shade close to streets, close to sidewalks, close to driveways, closer to homes as well."
If the spot is approved, there are nine different trees available to choose from, and Courville and the NTA will even come and plant the tree themselves.
"(A shade tree) reduces the sunlight on houses, on pavement, cools your house so your air conditioner isn't running as much, your electric bill isn't through the roof, as it is all over Connecticut lately," said Brousseau.
The two organizations are also currently hosting the "Norwalk Treesure Hunt" - a free, app-based scavenger hunt around some of Norwalk's most notable trees, with clues, puzzles and fun fact
"You'll learn a lot about Norwalk, the history, the trees, non-native trees, why they're good and bad, why vines are bad and stuff like that," explained Tom Arbron, a board member at the Norwalk Tree Alliance.
Anyone is able to enter that, regardless of where they live, and people who complete it are eligible to win an X-Box.
People who identify a good spot to plant a tree during the hunt can also have one planted in their honor, including a commemorative plaque with their name.
The Treesure Hunt can be entered here -- Join The Treesure Hunt - Norwalk Tree Alliance
