For the ninth consecutive year, Oncor is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees Program to give away more than 8,000 free trees to customers. Oncor customers can receive up to two free trees per household now through Nov. 1^st by visiting arborday.org/oncor. Customers can also use the online mapping tool to identify the safest and most strategic locations around their homes to plant the new trees for maximum energy savings.

The available trees, which are between one-and-three feet tall, represent five species indigenous or adapted to the Texas communities where homeowners will plant them: Bur Oak, Cedar Elm, Mexican White Oak, Pecan and Texas Redbud. The trees will be mailed directly to customers just in time for planting season this fall.

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.

This program also supports the ongoing Time for Trees initiative, which is a commitment to planting 100 million trees in forests and communities worldwide by 2022 – the 150^th anniversary of Arbor Day. As part of this initiative, the Arbor Day Foundation has set a goal to inspire five million tree planters to join the movement by 2022. 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.

Claim your free trees today, and be sure to share the link with family, friends and neighbors. Happy, safe planting!