Mayor Baldelli-Hunt Encourages Woonsocket Homeowners and Businesses to “Branch Out” With a Free Planted Tree from Groundwork RI

WOONSOCKET, R.I.: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt today announced that the environmental nonprofit agency, Groundwork Rhode Island, is offering to provide and plant 500 trees in the City of Woonsocket. The trees and tree plantings are entirely FREE! Homes and businesses that receive trees will only need to commit to watering them for two years after planting. Plantings are usually best in the spring/fall and there is a substantial selection of types of trees to choose from, including fruit trees.

If interested, e-mail Groundwork Rhode Island at Trees@groundworkri.org or call 401-305-7174. You may also contact the Woonsocket Department of Planning and Development at 401-767- 9237.

Mayor Baldelli-Hunt stated, “I want to thank Groundwork Rhode Island for expanding their tree planting program to Woonsocket, and encourage our homeowners and businesses to sign up for a free tree.” The Mayor also noted, “Adding 500 trees to our community will improve air quality, lower extreme summer heat, absorb stormwater, and help keep water clean before it enters the Blackstone River Basin. Trees also support wildlife, help buffer noise, improve our mental health, and can help lower heating and cooling costs.”

Planning Director Michael Debroisse stated, “We are excited to see Woonsocket’s tree canopy expand through the planting of these 500 trees. We look forward to providing support to Groundwork Rhode Island to help with proper tree placement on properties that qualify for the program.”

Groundwork Rhode Island is providing the trees through a Landscape Restoration Grant from the US Forest Service. Groundwork Rhode Island intends to plant 2,000 trees over a three-year period in the Blackstone River adjacent communities of Woonsocket, Cumberland, Central Falls, and Lincoln.