The Massena Electric Department (MED), in conjunction with the New York Power Authority’s “tree power” program, is offering trees to MED customers.
Through this Power Authority energy conservation promotion, the trees will be offered to homeowners at no cost.
To qualify for a tree, residents will have to attend an Energy Conservation/Tree Planting Seminar offered by the Massena Electric Department. The seminar will be held on Thursday, April 29 at 5:00 p.m. at the Massena Electric Department. The seminar will last approximately 30 minutes.
This year there are only 100 trees available. A lottery drawing of all those attending the seminar will determine who receives a tree.
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, 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.
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 around the first week of June.
Participants will be in charge of the planting and upkeep of the tree. Additionally, residents will assume all responsibility for the tree.
For more information please call the Massena Electric Department at 764-0253. | 
Red Maple
Sugar Maple
Blue Spruce |
