The Massena Electric Department (MED) and the Village of Massena Arbor Committee, in conjunction with the New York Power Authority’s “tree power” program, are offering trees to MED customers. MED and the Village Arbor Committee are offering these trees at no cost, provided that they are planted in a manner that will promote energy conservation. The saplings are in a burlap ball and approximately one inch in diameter. The height of the tree varies depending on the species. The choices this year are: Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Blue Spruce, Linden (Tilia cordata) and some type of flowering tree, which has yet to be determined. Properly planted trees can reduce power consumption in many ways. For example, Spruce trees planted on the windward side of homes can reduce heating costs by blocking the winter’s prevailing winds. Also, because the leaves of deciduous trees fall off every year, the bare branches allow for light to pass through in the winter, with the leaves returning to block the sun’s rays in the summer. Through this Power Authority energy conservation promotion, the trees will be offered to homeowners at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. To qualify for a tree, residents will have to attend an Energy Conservation/Tree Planting Seminar offered by the Massena Electric Department and the Village of Massena Arbor Day Committee. The seminar will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the Massena Memorial Hospital. The seminar will last approximately 30 minutes. Participants will be in charge of the planting and upkeep of the tree. Additionally, residents will assume all responsibility for the tree. Following the attendance and completion of the Energy Conservation/Tree Planting Seminar, residents will be able to pick up their trees at the Massena Electric Department on or around the first week of June. Due to the growing popularity of this program, it has become necessary for us to offer only one tree per household. For more information please call the Massena Electric Department at 764-0253. | 
