This year for the first time, our Energy Saving Tree event will include a Native Plant Sale! Enhance your landscape with free trees and affordable native plants.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, September 13
- Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Service Center Parking Lot, 625 Hastings Ave
Free Tree Giveaway
Energy Saving Trees are free to all Holland BPW residential water and electric customers. To participate, customers must reserve their tree on the Arbor Day website. You can reserve your tree starting August 4th.
This event offers a curated list of tree species. The portal to reserve your tree will open August 4th. You will need your Holland BPW account number and address to reserve your tree. Once reserved, come to our Service Center Parking Lot (625 Hastings Ave) on September 13 to pick up your tree. Our City Parks staff will be on hand to load the trees into your vehicle. Tree pick-up will be a drive-thru. Please bring the QR code generated by Arbor Day when you reserved your tree.
Tree Species Available
Species | Common Name | Preferred Conditions | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
Spruce, White | White Spruce | Full sun, moist to dry soil | 40-60ft |
Pine, White | Eastern White Pine | Full sun to part shade, moist well-drained soil | 50-80ft |
Dogwood, Bailey's Red Twig | Baily's Red Twig Dogwood | Full sun to part shade, moist soil | 6-9ft |
Ninebark, Ginger Wine | Physocarpus opulifolius 'Ginger Wine' | Full sun to part shade, adaptable to various soils | 5-6ft |
Spruce, Norway | Norway Spruce | Full sun to part shade, adaptable to various soils | 40-60ft |
Native Plant Sale
This year, we are thrilled to introduce a Native Plant Sale in partnership with the Ottawa Conservation District. Ottawa Conservation District will have 700 native plants, $2/plant. You do not need to reserve your plants. Simply park in the lot, browse the selection, and choose your favorites. To ensure everyone has a chance, we will initially limit purchases to 5 plants per person. Customers can pay with cash or card. Ottawa Conservation District, Holland BPW, and Outdoor Discovery Network staff will be on hand to answer any questions.
Native Plants Available
Species (Common Name) | Sun | Moisture |
|---|---|---|
Swamp Milkweed | Full sun | Moist to wet |
Butterfly Weed | Full sun | Dry to medium |
New England Aster | Full sun to part shade | Medium to moist |
Smooth Blue Aster | Full sun to part shade | Medium |
Purple Coneflower | Full sun | Medium |
Rough Blazing Star | Full sun | Medium |
Marsh Blazing Star | Full sun | Moist to wet |
Cardinal Flower | Full sun | Moist to wet |
Spotted Beebalm | Full sun | Moist to wet |
Brown-eyed Susan | Full sun to part shade | Medium |
Black-eyed Susan | Full sun | Dry to medium |
Blue Vervain | Full sun | Moist to wet |
Hoary Vervain | Full sun | Dry |
Why We Do This
We give away trees and sell native plants at a discounted price because of their many benefits to our community and the environment. Trees are not only beautiful but also incredibly functional. They can provide significant energy savings for homes by offering shade in the summer. They also act as windbreaks in the winter, which reduces heating costs. Additionally, trees help with water uptake, reducing runoff and erosion. Trees play a crucial role in improving air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen.
Native plants are well-adapted to our local environment and require less water and maintenance. Their longer root systems helps stabilize the soil and reduce erosion. Native plants also support local wildlife and a healthy ecosystem. Unfortunately, the selection of native plants in area stores is limited to a few species. By partnering with Ottawa Conservation District, we can offer our customers a wider selection at a discounted price. Planting native species in our communities creates more resilient and sustainable gardens.
Please mark your calendars and join us for a day of community, conservation, and greenery. We look forward to seeing you there!
Open to All
Even if you are not picking up a tree, come check out our plant sale. It's a great opportunity to learn more about native plants and how they can benefit your garden and the environment.
For more information and to reserve your tree, visit the Arbor Day website arborday.org/HBPW. Emailing energysmaryhome@hollandbpw.com or call 616-355-1534 if you have any questions.
Polar Patrol
Polar Patrol will be joining us at the event and giving away free ice cream between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Stop by their truck to enjoy a delicious treat while you browse the native plants and pick up your free tree. It's a great way to cool down!
Call MISS DIG 811
Remember to call MISS DIG 811 before you plant your tree or native plants! Learn more about MISS Dig on our blog.
Map of Event
