Rapid City, SD - Apr. 18, 2022 — Planting a tree is a great way to leave a leafy legacy and positively impact the environment and reduce energy costs, which is why this Earth Day, we are giving away more than 800 free yard trees. Beginning on Friday, April 22, customers can claim a tree through our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees Program. A free tree can be reserved by Black Hills Energy customers on a first come, first served basis at arborday.org/blackhillsenergy.
The one-to three-foot-tall dormant trees will be delivered directly to customers for spring planting from May through early June and are small enough that they can be planted by an individual. Since beginning the program in 2014, nearly 9,000 trees have been planted by our customers through the partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation.
Additionally, we are partnering with the Historic McGillicuddy House in Rapid City to plant 3 trees at their South Street location. This effort is funded by a $20,000 commitment by Black Hills Energy’s corporate foundation to celebrate their 20th anniversary of making legacy gifts across the eight states served by the electric and natural gas utility.
“Over the past few years, spending time outdoors in our communities has been more important than ever,” said Mike Pogany, director of operations for Black Hills Energy. “Our eight-year partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation in the Energy-Saving Trees program offers us the opportunity to positively contribute to cleaner air, energy savings and other valuable benefits gained by planting the right tree in the right place. This year we are pleased to partner with McGillicuddy House to plant 15-gallon Birch trees as part of our corporate Foundation’s milestone anniversary in honor of Arbor Day.”
The legacy benefits of trees continue to grow, just like the trees grow over time. Trees clean our air and water, improve physical and mental health, and beautify our communities. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, one large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people. In one year, a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange. Trees can also help save energy, as a strategically placed tree can save a homeowner up to 20% on energy costs.
“The Energy-Saving Trees program enables utility providers with an opportunity to become directly involved with their communities in meaningful ways,” said Kristen Bousquet, program manager at the Arbor Day Foundation. “Days like Earth Day and Arbor Day are the perfect opportunity to allow individuals to celebrate and secure the future of the planet. This unique program benefits utility providers, their customers and the communities they serve by finding natural ways to conserve energy.”
Black Hills Energy customers can use the handy online tool at arborday.org/blackhillsenergy to quickly determine where to plant a tree to gain the most energy-saving benefits.
We are also delivering an important safety message: At least two business days before you plan to dig, whether you are a homeowner planting a tree or a contractor excavating with a backhoe, Call Before You Dig to have underground utility lines marked. It’s free, it’s safe and it’s the law. In South Dakota, just make a free call by dialing 811 to reach SD811. You also can schedule online here.
We also urge customers to follow the safe digging practices listed here. Those include using white spray-paint to mark the area where you plan to dig before line locaters arrive.
“Underground utility lines may be out of sight, but they should never be out of mind,” Pogany said. “It only takes a minute to Call Before You Dig, and it can save untold time and trouble. Please follow the rules and dig safely. We want you and your family to enjoy your new tree for a long, long time.”