Eversource distributes free trees in Framingham through pilot energy-saving program
FRAMINGHAM — Last Thursday was warm and pleasant at Cushing Memorial Park, and Framingham resident Ellen Kanner got a free tree.
Eversource gave out more than 1,000 free trees and shrubs to eligible customers throughout the state, partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation through the nonprofit’s Energy-Saving Trees initiative. The pilot program allowed customers in Framingham who reserved a plant to view their property through an online portal and determine the best location for their tree or shrub to help conserve energy, as well as calculate estimated environmental benefits and annual cost savings.
Framingham residents picked up 161 trees on Thursday afternoon.
Why urban 'heat islands' matter: Study finds some neighborhoods in Natick are hotter than others
Kanner hopes to reap the benefits of planting a tree on her property.
"I'm hoping it will help with the shade and help with the greenhouse gasses," she said. "It's possible it can create savings to my bill, but I'm more interested in the shade."
Arborist says trees help consumers save on energy costs year round
Russell Holman, Eversource's supervisor of vegetation management and a registered arborist, said trees can help consumers save on energy costs year round. They block the sun from heating up a house, leading to less energy consumed to cool it. And during the winter, strategically placed trees can block bitterly cold wind, preventing it from sapping heat from a home.
"With increasing temperatures with global warming, shade from trees can help in reducing energy from people in communities heating and cooling their homes," Holman said. "Planting a tree in the right place can reduce energy costs, allowing the sun to heat a home in the winter."
Shawn Luz, Framingham's sustainability coordinator, said tree planting is part of the city's sustainability strategy, because it can help alleviate issues caused by the so-called heat island effect — urbanized areas that experience higher temperatures than outlying areas. This was studied last summer by Framingham State University's Christa McAuliffe Center, led by Irene Porro.
"They identified certain risks," Luz said. "Programs like this are really helpful."
McAuliffe Center project featured 50,000 temperature readings
The McAuliffe Center team recruited about 40 volunteers to compile 50,000 temperature readings last July along seven routes in MetroWest communities.
Porro and the volunteers found that on the day of their study, highly populated residential areas, such as the downtown areas of Ashland, Framingham, Holliston and Natick, experienced temperatures as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than those in more suburban and greener areas.
'This is significant': MetroWest climate study shows link between hotter temperatures, urban areas
Luz echoed Holman's point, noting that trees can shield homes from heat in the summer, creating lower energy costs and creating less emissions. He said increasing tree cover is important to the city as part of its climate action plan.
Where's the best place in your yard to plant a new tree?
Along with the tree and shrub saplings, Eversource representatives handed out instructions on how to properly plant and care for trees, along with instructions on the best places to put them on a property.
Eversource recommends planting deciduous trees on the west and southwest sides of a home so that the leaves shade the house in the summer, allowing for reduced air conditioning costs. When the leaves shed in the winter months, the sun can warm up a house, reducing heating costs.
The utility also recommends planting evergreen trees on the north side of a property to block cold winds from sapping heat from a home.
According to a handout form Eversource, well placed trees can reduce consumer energy use by 20% and an urban tree canopy can reduce city temperatures by 10 degrees.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Eversource free tree program promotes lower energy costs for consumers
