Tree Downed in Sandy? T.R. Residents Get Free Seedlings

Toms River residents are entitled to five seedlings each to replace trees downed during Superstorm Sandy.

The New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign, a joint effort between the Department of Environmental Protection’s State Forestry Services and the non-profit Arbor Day Foundation, is distributing 115,000 tree seedlings to neighborhoods in more than 100 towns and cities to replace thousands of trees lost across the state due to Superstorm Sandy, DEP Commissioner Bob Martin announced recently.

Each Toms River resident is entitled to receive up to five seedlings to replace trees lost due to the damaging winds of Superstorm Sandy, and can pick up these trees, free of charge, at any location listed on the state DEP website.

In Toms River, specifically, the pick-up site is on April 12 from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. at BJ’s Wholesale Club, located at 1941 Rt. 37 West.

“Superstorm Sandy’s winds toppled a staggering number of trees in towns across the state, and not just the counties that were hardest hit by the storm,” said state DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “Through this campaign, residents can replant trees where it means the most to them—right in their backyard.”

Although the seedlings will stand no more than knee-high when distributed, residents must keep in mind the full-grown size of the species when planting. In particular, they should be mindful of overhead utility lines and the proximity to structures. To ensure survival, residents should plant the trees promptly after pick-up.

There will be 1,000 trees distributed per municipality, state officials said.