Kingsport giving away free tree seedlings

In an effort to make the Model City just a little bit greener, the city’s stormwater division plans to distribute 200 tree seedlings to the public later this month – all free of charge.

“From our standpoint, trees are good. They absorb storm water resulting in less runoff within the city,” said Amanda McMullen, stormwater quality control technician. “The more trees we can get planted in the city, the better.”

Two-hundred trees have been ordered – 50 each of Sugar Maple, Redbud, White Dogwood and Scarlet Oak. The seedlings will be distributed at Keep Kingsport Beautiful’s garden seminar at the Kingsport Public Library on March 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Limit 10 per person.

McMullen will also be set up in Glen Bruce Park on March 19 from 9 a.m. to noon distributing tree seedlings. If you cannot make either event, you can call McMullen at 423-229-9325 and schedule a time to pick up tree seedlings at the city’s Water Services Center (Old Pet Dairy building) at 1113 Konnarock Road.

The U.S. Forest Service reports that every dollar spent on planting and caring for a community tree yields benefits that are two to five times that investment—benefits that include cleaner air, lower energy costs, improved water quality and storm water control and increased property values.

For more than 35 years, Kingsport has been recognized as a Tree City USA for its forestry efforts, which includes maintaining over 12,000 trees and 15 acres of landscaping within the city. Kingsport also maintains a Level II Arboretum Certification that requires labeling and mapping of more than 60 tree species within Borden Park.