Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Pelham Preservation & Garden Society.

Pelham Preservation & Garden Society is launching the “Plant Pelham Trees” program which will provide 25 free shade trees of native species for planting in private gardens. These shade trees will grace Pelham’s homes for years to come and go a long way to restoring the canopy loss of recent years due to age and severe storms. Trees enhance property value, provide beauty and help cool homes, manage rainwater runoff and provide many other benefits including establishing a sense of place as a leafy suburb. Native species were chosen for their hardiness and appropriateness to the Pelham environment. Pelham Landscaper, Dominic Ragno, has generously agreed to work with Pelham Preservation to efficiently and cost effectively make this planting effort possible. D. Ragno Landscaping will provide a consultation with the homeowner to determine appropriate placement on their property as well as have his team do the planting when weather conditions are right. Pelham Preservation and the Junior League will be taking the names of those who may be interested in receiving a free tree to determine if they have suitable space and conditions to support the shade tree.

The Junior League of Pelham and Pelham Preservation & Garden Society are collaborating on this tree effort to follow up with an educational component of a “Paint and Plant” event on Sunday, April 7. The “Paint and Plant” will start with a painting project and a dedication of the new water table in the Woodland Park at 1:30 pm, then attendees will view a screening of “The Lorax” at 3:30 pm at the Picture House. Pelham Preservation will also perform a ribbon cutting on a newly donated large shade tree for the park. The “Paint and Plant” event is geared toward children and tree lovers of all ages. A donation of $5 is suggested.

Other dates to mark on your calendar are Pelham Preservation organized events such as: Pelham Parks Rake and Mulch event on 3/30 (rain date 4/6) and an upcoming Tree Inventory Survey launching on 4/1 and the PPGS Annual Garden Party Fundraiser 6/1.

If you would like to get on the list for determining if you’re eligible for a free tree from Pelham Preservation & Garden Society or would like to learn more about these events, please email