Homegrown: Plant some shade

I've been receiving info about MidAmerican Energy's tree-planting program.

This is from Johnson County Extension:

Johnson County Extension & Outreach in partnership with DNR and MidAmercian Energy are working together to sponsor the “Plant Some Shade Tree Program”.    MidAmerican customers are eligible to purchase trees for $30.00 each (average retail cost per tree is $65.00 with the remaining cost funded through a grant from MidAmerican Energy). Tree purchase is initially limited to two (2) trees per household to ensure all customers have an opportunity to purchase trees. Advanced purchase is required as the quantity is limited and are sold on a first come first served basis.

In the event that additional trees are available on distribution day, they will be released for purchase at 3:00 p.m. on a first come/first served basis, or until all trees are sold.  Trees must be picked up on Thursday, May 10, 2012, between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. at the Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds in Iowa City.  Any trees not picked up by 5:00 p.m. on distribution day will be considered a donation to Johnson County Extension.

Trees are non-refundable, exchanges will not be accepted, and plant material is under no warranty and/or guarantee.  Checks payable to Johnson County Extension. Contact the Johnson County Extension & Outreach Office at 319-337-2145 or go to www.extension.iastate.edu/johnson to obtain an order form.  

TREES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE (175 total available) – Shade trees are 6-8 feet tall in 5-7 gallon containers.

Please consider the size at maturity when selecting the right tree for your site. This information is on the order form.

TREES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

 40 Swamp White Oak

20 Pin Oak

40 Red Sunset Red Maple

20 Skyline Honeylocust

30 Pagoda Dogwood

25 Norway Spruce

This is from the Iowa DNR:

Residential customers of MidAmerican Energy who live in Iowa can reduce future energy use and at the same time landscape their homes and green up their communities this spring through Plant some shade, a residential tree-planting program.

Plant some shade® is a partnership initiative to aid long-term energy and natural resource conservation. The program is funded by MidAmerican Energy and administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Bureau of Forestry with eight local partners, including the City of Cedar Rapids, Johnson County Extension, Polk County Conservation, Pottawattamie County Conservation Board, Scott County Conservation Board, Warren County Conservation Board, City of Waterloo and the Webster County Conservation Board.

Plant some shade® enables MidAmerican's residential customers to purchase up to two, 3- to 8-foot landscaping trees for just $30 each. Each project has a variety of trees available and typically includes two or three shade trees, a low-growing ornamental and a conifer.

“Encouraging residents to plant trees in their yard is an effective way to reduce energy costs and promote a healthy and aesthetically pleasing environment,” said Rick Leuthauser, MidAmerican's manager, energy efficiency. “We're pleased to be funding Plant some shade® and we hope many customers participate.”

Spring projects will take place in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Indianola, Iowa City and Waterloo. Advanced orders for Plant some shade® are required.

Orders will be accepted until all trees have been sold.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for homeowners to get a quality tree at an affordable price,” said Matt Brewer, partnership coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Bureau of Forestry. “Spring is an ideal time to plant and establish new trees, too. The season's warm days and cool nights are excellent for root growth.”