ROOT

Tree Ordering for ROOT Program Begins on February 1

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced today that residents interested in purchasing trees through the Restoration of Our Trees (ROOT) program may do so beginning February 1, 2007.

ROOT is a pilot program developed in partnership with DTE Energy Foundation, USDA Forest Service-State and Private Forestry, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the DNR and the Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. The program will assist residents in southeast Michigan’s 21 emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantined counties in replanting trees lost to EAB.

Residents of the 21 EAB-quarantined counties can purchase up to two trees per household at a cost of $21 each. A donation from the DTE Energy Foundation will cover the remaining cost of the trees. Available tree species include sugar maple, red maple, littleleaf linden, ginkgo, red oak and tulip tree. Trees are in seven-gallon containers and are six to eight feet tall. Trees purchased will be available for pick up in April.

To participate in the program, residents should contact one of the participating local partners in the program. They are:

• Bridgeport Charter Township (Saginaw County) 989-777-0940
• City of Grand Blanc (Genesee County) 810-694-1118
• The Greening of Detroit (Wayne County) 313-237-8733
• Oakland County MSU Extension (Pontiac) 248-858-0887
• City of Howell (Livingston County) 517-546-7510
• Monroe Conservation District (Monroe) 734-241-7755, ext. 103
• City of East Lansing (Ingham County) 517-337-9459
• Calhoun Conservation District (Marshall) 269-781-4867, ext. 5

Trees will be sold on a first come, first served basis. A homeowner does not need to have lost an ash tree to participate. Trees are non-refundable with no exchange, no warranty and no guarantee.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.