Environmental nonprofit offers to plant trees for free in Woonsocket

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt said that environmental nonprofit Groundwork Rhode Island will provide free tree plantings in the city.

The nonprofit is offering 500 trees to interested businesses and homeowners who commit to watering the trees for two years after they are planted.

The trees are being provided through a Landscape Restoration Grant from the U.S. Forest Service.

They added that there are multiple types of trees available including fruit trees.

“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,” Baldelli-Hunt said.

Those interested in receiving a tree may contact Groundwork Rhode Island via Trees@groundworkri.org or 401-305-7174, or can call the Woonsocket Department of Planning and Development at 401-767-9237.

Groundwork Rhode Island plans to plant 2,000 trees over a three-year period in the Blackstone River adjacent communities of Woonsocket, Cumberland, Central Falls, and Lincoln.