San Marcos Electric Utility Announces Tree Giveaway For Texas Arbor Day

“It’s important to plant the right tree in the right place,” said Jan Klein, Conservation Coordinator for the City of San Marcos.

In celebration of Texas Arbor Day, the San Marcos Electric Utility will give away free trees to SMEU customers on Friday, Nov. 2. 

Arbor Day is celebrated in Texas on the first Friday in November. This will be the seventh year the Electric Utility has distributed free trees for Arbor Day.

The trees will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis at the San Marcos Library, located at 625 E Hopkins, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Customers must provide a current San Marcos Electric Utility bill and a local driver’s license in order to claim their free tree. 

There will be several different types of trees to choose from, including Texas redbud, desert willow, pecan, red oak and Mexican white oak.

All are native or adapted species that require little supplemental water once established. The saplings are in 5-gallon pots and range in size from 2-8 feet tall. Each will come with planting and care instructions, and a tree watering bag. 

“It’s important to plant the right tree in the right place,” said Jan Klein, Conservation Coordinator for the City of San Marcos. “Smaller trees, such as the redbud or desert willow, are more suitable for planting near power lines or on smaller lots.  Large trees such as the pecan, red oak and white oak can reduce summer cooling costs when planted on the south or west side of your home.”

The children’s library reading program that day will focus on trees, and available tree resources will be on display for the public.

Kelly Eby, Urban Forester for San Marcos, will be available to answer tree care and planting questions.

“Fall and winter are the best times to begin planting trees in our area,” Eby said. “The weather is cooler, and it is our rainy season. Tree roots are still actively growing and give the tree a chance to establish before the stress and heat of the summer.” 

For more tree selection and planting tips visit www.texastreeplanting.tamu.edu.

For more information about the tree give-away, please call 512.393.8310 or email jklein@sanmarcostx.gov.