The Missouri Department of Conservation and community partners will offer nearly 400 free trees to local residents impacted by tornado damage this past spring, according to a Monday news release.
Tornadoes that ripped through Jefferson City and Eldon on May 22 left a path of destruction that damaged and destroyed many community trees.
In partnership with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, the Bittersweet and Capital garden clubs in Jefferson City, the Eldon Garden Club, the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department, and the city of Eldon, MDC will offer free trees at the following locations and times:
Jefferson City - noon-6 p.m. Oct. 3, 1626 Tanner Bridge Road (street-side pickup).
Eldon - 1-7 p.m. Oct. 4 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 5, Air Park Pavilion, 532 Airport Road. Recipients must present a driver license, photo ID or recent utility bill to be eligible for free trees at this location.
Any residents with tornado damage to their property are eligible for these trees. Two trees will be available to each resident until the supply runs out.
This tree giveaway will provide a variety of 3-gallon, potted, Missouri-native tree species, including red oak, white oak, black gum, river birch, red bud and eastern wahoo. Staff and volunteers will be on-site to help select the best tree species for specific locations and provide information on how to plant them.
For more information, call Jefferson City Forester Ray Wallace at 573-634-6509 or Eldon Garden Club Vice President Carolyn Cardwell at 573-216-4422.