For the past 12 years, Oncor has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation’s annual Energy-Saving Trees Program to give away thousands of free trees across our service area. This year’s program is providing about 6,000 trees to Oncor customers – who can receive two free trees per household by registering today at ArborDay.org/Oncor. The registration site also includes an online mapping tool to help identify the safest and most strategic planting locations around customer homes for maximum energy savings.

The available trees, which are between one-and-three feet tall, represent four species indigenous or adapted to the Texas communities where homeowners will plant them: Bald Cypress, Chinese Pistache, Eastern Redbud, and Shumard Oak. The trees are mailed directly to customers just in time for planting season in the fall. The program will remain open for orders until late November, or while supplies last.

The Energy-Saving Trees program is designed to help plant free trees in the right places to promote energy efficiency and the protection of important electrical equipment. Properly chosen and sited, a single tree can help a homeowner save 20 percent on energy costs. By planning before planting, customers can beautify their communities and help safeguard both the electric grid and the safety of the public.

Trees do much more than offer shade from the hot Texas sun or baffle against the winter wind. They also help keep the air fresh – a typical mature tree can absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year, hold valuable topsoil in place, reduce flood risk and bolster natural wildlife habitats.

Oncor encourages customers to remember that trees and power lines don’t mix, and that home and business owners should avoid planting trees under power lines. Remember to put safety first and enjoy a safe planting season.