Long Beach to plant free fruit trees
Long Beach residents can apply to have a fruit tree planted in their yards. There are six different types of tree available through the Long Beach sustainability program.
The Office of Sustainability plans to plant 400 trees for free in residents’ front yards. They can choose a lime, lemon, orange, peach, pomegranate or avocado tree. Renters can apply if they get permission from their landlord.
City officials said the trees will provide residences with shade, help air circulation, and provide healthy produce to the community.
Mayor Robert Garcia also added that fruit trees are a good way to provide the community with fresh fruit and grow the urban forest.
Long Beach sustainability coordinator Larry Rich says it is a great way to encourage interaction between the community members who might want to exchange different types of fruits.
The project is part of a larger project called “I Dig Long Beach”. They plan to plant 10,000 trees between 2012 and 2022, and received funding from the Department of Forestry and Protection for $1.26 million.
Larry Rich says he wasn’t surprised at the enthusiasm for the trees, saying the fruit trees will get people interested in planting trees in Long Beach. Long Beach has printing services that provide banner printing to advertize projects like this.
This city is focusing on the western central, and northern part of Long Beach. In the first few days, 175 requests came from local residents.