Merriam’s Residential Tree Grant
Heartland Tree Alliance is excited to partner with the City of Merriam to provide FREE trees to its residents. Property owners will be able to select the species of tree they would like! Heartland Tree Alliance foresters will provide advice on the best location for the tree, plus plant and provide tips on proper care and other support for the following year.
This program is limited to one tree per address (City of Merriam only) and species are first come, first served. Click the link below to sign up today!
Steps to take ASAP:
1. Contact us to reserve your tree! We ask that you complete our online reservation form (click here) or email us your contact information including name, address and phone number. There are a limited number of free trees available. First come, first served.
2. Shortly after you contact us, we will reach out to discuss your application. Our staff is experienced in species and site selection and can assist you in making this decision.
3. Planting will take place in either the spring (March-May) or fall (October-December) planting seasons. We will let you know what season your tree will be planted and contact you at least 2 weeks prior to planting.
4. Review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below to familiarize yourself with the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will my tree be planted?
Trees must be planted in your front yard – sorry no backyards allowed. Heartland Tree Alliance staff will work with you to make sure the tree is planted exactly where you want it. The City of Merriam has funded this program.
How much will this cost me?
FREE! Besides the minimal cost of water over the next few years, your tree is free.
Who will plant my tree?
Heartland Tree Alliance, a program of Bridging The Gap, staff will plant your tree for you! If you’re home and want to participate feel free to come outside and join the team to learn more about proper planting practices. We will work with you to select a location where your new tree will thrive.
Will my tree be planted properly?
Yes! Heartland Tree Alliance takes great care to ensure that proper planting techniques are followed. Staff are well trained and have lots of experience planting trees and helping you select the best location for your tree.
Do I get to select the species of tree planted in front of my home?
Yes! We will work with you to plant either your first or second choice of tree, if available and the site conditions allow. We know not every yard has room for a large shade tree, so we’re offering a mix of small, medium, and large trees.
How large will the tree be when planted?
At the time of planting, all trees will be approximately 1 inch in trunk diameter and 8-10 feet tall.
What are all these flags and spray paint marks?
We will have underground utilities marked several times throughout this program. You will see painted markings and flags in the yard, which will help us identify SAFE places to plant. We will pick up all visible flags after the tree has been planted. Private irrigation lines will not be marked with the typical utility locates so the homeowner is required to contact HTA to let them know the general location of the lines, if there are any.
How often should I water my tree?
Your new tree should have 1 inch of water a week. If it rains or snows equal to or over 1 inch, you can take the week off. Otherwise, use a garden hose to soak the ground and mulch around your tree. We recommend you turn the hose on about a quarter of the way and let it soak slowly into the ground moving it around the tree every few minutes. March through December water weekly. Winter months try to water one day a month when temperatures are above freezing.
What is a TreeDiaper®?
TreeDiaper®s are an innovative watering system that recharges through rainfall and or irrigation and slowly releases the water as the soil dries. Still not sure, check out their FAQ page and this little video
We recommend you check on your tree every two weeks. The best way to do that is to dig about 6 inches in the soil under the diaper. If it’s dry, time to recharge! Generally, TreeDiaper® only needs to be recharged once every month if there is less than one inch of rain.
We recommend leaving TreeDiaper® outdoors through winter so that it can charge with melting snow and ice water. It can help protect tree roots from winter damage. Additionally, winter drought may kill your deciduous tree without a sign. By the time you notice it, it is too late. Leaving TreeDiaper® outdoors helps to prevent winter drought damages.
My newly planted tree has no leaves and looks dead!
Contact Heartland Tree Alliance either by phone 816-561-1087 or via email trees@bridgingthegap.org. We will inspect the tree and determine the next steps.
I don’t own the home, can I still apply to receive a free tree?
Yes! We require you to sign a waiver stating that you have received written permission to participate. We would be happy to speak to the property owner to further explain the program if necessary.
