Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Wells Fargo & Company, announced that registration for the spring 2013 TreePhilly giveaway is now open.

TreePhilly is a yearlong initiative that engages Philadelphia property owners, businesses and neighbors to plant and maintain trees. Now through March 31, property owners can submit requests for a free yard tree to plant on their private property.

"TreePhilly is an investment in our city's future," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "Our city will be healthier, safer and more attractive as a result of the trees we plant through this program. This year, Philadelphians can ask for more than one tree and we have more locations for pick-up. I would like to thank Wells Fargo & Company and the Fairmount Park Conservancy for their support of this important initiative."

As TreePhilly embarks on its second year, there are a few new features to the program. More trees will be available for residents this year, increasing the yard tree give away totals from 4,000 to 5,000 trees (2,500 for this spring).

Philadelphia residential property owners can request up to two trees and community groups that own large private properties with community access, such as faith-based institutions and senior centers, can register for up to 10 trees. TreePhilly is offering a total of nine pick-up locations on seven different days in April--

-- April 6, 2-4 p.m., Second Baptist Church of Frankford (1801 Meadow St. 19124);

-- April 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., New Kensington CDC Garden Center (1825 Frankford Ave. 19125);

-- April 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Haddington Library (446 N 65th St. 19151);

-- April 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Columbus Square Playground (1200 Wharton St. 19147);

-- April 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Pennypack Environmental Center (8600 Verree Rd. 19115);

-- April 13, 1-3 p.m., Pennypack Environmental Center (8600 Verree Rd. 19115);

-- April 13, 3-5 p.m., Pennypack Environmental Center (8600 Verree Rd. 19115);

-- April 14, 2-4 p.m., West Oak Lane Library (2000 Washington Lane, 19138); and

-- April 20, 12-2 p.m., Hunting Park Recreation Center (900 Hunting Park Ave. 19140).

Participants who pre-register for the yard tree giveaway will be able to select their pick-up site and date. At each pick-up location, TreePhilly will offer tree planting and care demonstrations. Those who participate in the demonstration will receive a free raffle ticket for a free tree watering bag. Additionally, TreePhilly will be offering free mulch for TreePhilly participants at select pick-up locations.

"With the continued support of our great partners and building off the tremendous success of last year's TreePhilly campaign, the 2013 TreePhilly campaign will enable even more Philadelphia property owners to receive free trees and learn about the numerous benefits of planting trees. This spring we are very excited to offer community groups, such as senior centers and faith-based institutions, as many as ten free trees to plant on their properties and be enjoyed by their communities," said Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources.

"We have seen great success in engaging Philadelphians to plant and care for trees as part of the TreePhilly program. Wells Fargo has been an extraordinary corporate partner of Treephilly, from their financial support to promoting TreePhilly through their branches and ATMs. The Fairmount Park Conservancy is truly grateful for their support both last year and this year – an example of how successful public-private partnerships can be," said Kathryn Ott Lovell, Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.

"Wells Fargo is pleased to renew our commitment to the TreePhilly program because of this program's success in making Philadelphia more attractive and environmentally sound for generations of future Philadelphians," said Vince Liuzzi, Wells Fargo's regional president for Greater Philadelphia/Delaware. "Tree Philly aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship and will further the vision of Philadelphia's founding father, William Penn, of Philadelphia as a 'greene country towne'."

Residents with limited mobility can apply for free tree delivery and planting by a representative from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Space for this service is limited and residents are encouraged to apply early by contacting Erica Smith Fichman at 215-683-0217 or by visiting the TreePhilly website.

Finally, if a resident does not register for a tree, there will be a "leftovers" day schedule in April (exact date to be determined), where extra trees will be available to residents on a first-come, first-served basis.

There are several ways citizens can get involved with TreePhilly, including planting and caring for trees on their property, volunteering for a tree planting event in their local park, or sponsoring community service days to plant and maintain trees.

For more information, citizens can visit the TreePhilly website or call 215-683-0217. For more information about the Fairmount Park Conservancy, visit the My Philly Park webpage. To stay up to date on Fairmount Park Conservancy projects and news, visit the Conservancy's Facebook Page or follow the Conservancy on Twitter@myphillypark.

2/18/2013