NEC is holding the third annual Arbor Day Free Tree Give Away on Friday, April 24 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Members can pick up a seedling Italian Stone Pine tree from the  Calallen Nueces Electric Cooperative office located at 14353 Cooperative Ave (intersection of CR52 and CR69).

This year the co-op is giving away the Italian Stone Pine seedling tree. This particular tree grows well in  the south Texas soil Additionally it is a hearty tree that grows quickly and has a beautiful canopy. Upon pick-up, members will receive planting instructions as well as tree trimming safety and energy efficiency information.

We are an electric company in Texas, so why are we giving away trees? Simply put, trees help lower electric usage in the summer by providing shade thus reducing the amount of AC loss. In the winter, trees can act as insulators from the cold wind, thus reducing thus higher than normal winter bills.  It’s a win-win for all seasons!

But be sure to watch where you dig when planting your tree. Before you dig, be sure to call 8-1-1 to see if you have any electric, gas or water lines running under your yard. Hitting a line could cause a big headache as well as several hundred dollars in out of pocket costs to get it fixed.

Additionally, when you plant your trees, be aware of where you are planting them. It is recommended that you plan trees at least 20-30 feet from a power line. As the tree grows, take care of it by trimming the branches so you never have to worry about them getting caught in the lines.

Finally, planting trees helps us reduce our carbon footprint and increase our air quality. NEC and our power generator, STEC, take caution at all times to be environmentally friendly and this is just one more way we can give back to the earth..and to you!