Program helps residents build biodiversity, reduce energy use and save money planting trees and shrubs
(April 17, 2013, Toronto, ON – For immediate release) Today LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) launches its spring Cool Communities Residential Shade Tree Planting Program in the Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo area. The program provides rebates of up to $100 per household on native trees and shrubs and is designed to aid homeowners in strategically planting trees and shrubs for shade and windbreak resulting in home energy conservation. The program, available at participating nurseries, will run from April 17th - June 2nd.
Rebates:
$20 off trees regularly priced $99.99 or greater
$5 off shrubs regularly priced $19.99 or greater
$2 off shrubs regularly priced under $19.99
“As strategically planted trees and shrubs mature, they play an important role in reducing the need for heating and air-conditioning saving the homeowner money and helping the environment,” said Melissa Williams, Manager, Residential Planting Programs, LEAF. “By planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of a house, homeowners can reduce air conditioning needs by up to 40% while evergreens planted on the north side act as windbreaks and can lower heating costs by up to 10%. Shrubs planted around an AC unit can improve the look of your yard and more importantly lower the temperature around the air intake, making it run more efficiently.”
Participants can visit the Cool Communities booth at Brock Road Nursery (1858 Gordon St., Guelph), Royal City Nursery (305 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph), or Grand Valley Garden Village (3763 King Street East, Kitchener) to receive the rebates. The booth will provide customers with information on how to choose the best tree or shrub for their property, the best planting locations and how to properly plant and care for trees and shrubs.
“These trees and shrubs will also help provide other benefits such as improving air quality, reducing storm water runoff and providing valuable habitat for wildlife. In addition, they will help build a stronger, more resilient urban forest in the Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo area by increasing biodiversity,” concluded Williams.
For more information on the Cool Communities Residential Shade Tree Program or other LEAF programs call 416-413-9244 or visit www.yourleaf.org.
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LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) is an incorporated, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the urban forest. Since 1996 LEAF has engaged citizens in urban forest stewardship through planting, education and training. For more information visit www.yourleaf.org.
