North Salem Democrats hosting tree giveaway

The North Salem Democrats are encouraging town residents to add more greenery to their properties by taking part in a tree giveaway the organization is hosting this Saturday.

Between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, residents can pick up one American Sweetgum sapling from Salem Center, where June Road intersects with Titicus Road. Instruction cards will accompany the trees, with information on how to care for them.

“We’ve had bad storms, people’s trees have blown down. I would just love to do this,” said Nancy Stamm, a district leader for the North Salem Democrats.

Stamm organized the purchase of 100 Sweetgum trees through the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery, a nursery operated by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and which produces tree and shrub seedlings for conservation plantings on public and private lands. The Nursery holds an annual seedling sale each year from May through June. 

Sweetgums have star-shaped leaves and change colors in the fall. They typically grow between 2 and 3 feet each year. Stamm says that if the giveaway is successful, the group will purchase more trees next year.

“This is for the whole community,” Stamm said. “It doesn’t matter what philosophy people have; we’re all connected.”

Tree pickup will take place at 60 June Road on Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, call (914) 617-8818