Over 150 residents adopted tree seedlings Sunday in a special giveaway.
Free tree seedlings were handed out to an estimated 150 people Hazlet residents Sunday in a program by the Hazlet’s Environmental Commission and Township Committee.
For years to come, Hazlet neighborhoods will be brightened by multitudes of yellow Cornelian Cherry, pink Redbud, fragrant Persimmon, leafy Mockernut Hickory, stately Red Oak and towering Bald Cypress.
Residents were able to utilize a form on the township’s new website to efficiently place pre-orders. Due to social distancing guidelines required during the COVID-19 pandemic, residents remained in their cars while volunteers gathered their order. All wore facial masks.
HEC Commissioner Daniel Nothstein was careful to keep the delicate seedling’s roots moist and shaded until the very last minute they were taken home in a paper bag, with a sheet of instructions and his personal contact information for questions.
"Hundreds of trees will be planted, "said Nothstein. "The residents seemed very happy for something new to brighten their gardens."
Deputy Mayor Tara Clark was on hand to help out. "We look forward to bringing more events like these to the residents of Hazlet. Our town is blessed with beautiful natural parks and resources, and we want to find more ways to explore them."
The distribution was part of the New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign, which aims to replace tree lost to Super Storm Sandy in 2012. It is supported by the New Jersey Forest Service, The Arbor Day Foundation, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, Sustainable Jersey, FedEx, and International Paper.
