Dubuque Farmers Market to Host Free Tree Giveaway with Dubuque Trees Forever

Dubuque residents will have an opportunity to bring a little more green to their yards this month, thanks to a free tree giveaway hosted by Dubuque Trees Forever.

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The local nonprofit will distribute free oak and Dawn Redwood saplings to the first 150 Dubuque-area residents at the Dubuque Farmers Market on Saturday, October 17th. Each tree will come with a planting guide to help residents get their new trees off to a healthy start.

While a new tree might seem like a small addition to a yard, the benefits can last for generations. Trees provide shade, help improve air and water quality, reduce soil erosion, support wildlife and can help lower household energy costs when planted in the right locations. They also add beauty to neighborhoods and make outdoor spaces more comfortable during warmer months.

The giveaway also fits into Dubuque’s broader effort to grow its urban tree canopy. Through the Branching Out Dubuque initiative, the City of Dubuque and Dubuque Trees Forever are working together to plant more than 5,000 trees throughout the community by the end of 2029.

The program is supported by a $1.5 million U.S. Forest Service grant and aims to increase Dubuque’s tree canopy from approximately 26% to 40%, supporting a goal outlined in the city’s Climate Action Plan. By encouraging residents to plant trees on their own properties, the October giveaway offers another opportunity for the community to take part in that effort.

Dubuque Trees Forever hopes to help residents add a tree to their own yards while highlighting the environmental, social, health, and financial benefits trees can provide. For more information about Dubuque Trees Forever, volunteer opportunities or upcoming events, visit dubuquetreesforever.org.