East Lansing

The Michigan Restoration of Our Trees (ROOT) Program is a public-private partnership between the Office of the Governor, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service - State & Private Forestry, Michigan Department of Agriculture, DTE Energy Foundation and local partners. The City of East Lansing was chosen as one of eight local partners of the program to sell and distribute trees.

Purpose of the Program
The Purpose of the program is to provide homeowners the opportunity to purchase landscape trees at a reduced cost to restore tree canopy cover in areas where Emerald Ash Borer has killed ash trees. This includes the 21 counties in southeast Michigan that are in the State's EAB quarantine. Locally, those counties impacted include Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties.

Tree Information
Residents in the 21 EAB quarantined counties are eligible to purchase up to 2 trees per household at a cost of $21 each. The City of East Lansing will have a total of 250 trees available for purchase.

Available tree species include:

Trees come in 5-7 gallon containers which weigh approximately 40 pounds and are 5-8 feet tall. A homeowner does not need to have lost an ash tree to participate in the program. Trees are non-refundable with no exchange, no warranty and no guarantee.

Ordering Information
Due to overwhelming demand, trees sold through the City of East Lansing will be available through a random drawing. When all order forms have been received, applicants will be randomly selected until the inventory of trees has been sold out. [ROOT Order form]

To participate in the random drawing, complete order form and return it to the City of East Lansing Department of Public Works, 1800 East State Road or mail it to the City of East Lansing, Department of Public Works, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Payment must be made with the application. Acceptable payment methods include charge (preferred method) or check. Checks should be made out to the City of East Lansing. Application and payment must be received by March 14, 2008 (extended from March 7, 2008).

The City of East Lansing will mail the homeowners selected through the random drawing a receipt for their tree purchase. The original receipt must be presented to the City at the time of tree pick up. Homeowners not selected in the random drawing, will have their money returned to them by mail.

Tree Pick Up
Trees must be picked up at the Department of Public Works, 1800 East State Rd. on Saturday, April 19 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Unclaimed trees will become the property of the City of East Lansing. If you cannot pick up your tree(s) on this day during this time period, then please do not submit an application.

Persons picking up trees should bring appropriate vehicles and equipment such as tarps, tie-downs, etc. for transportation of trees.

Tree Planting Information
Proper tree planting and maintenance information will be handed out at the time trees are picked up and can also be viewed here. Trees may be planted on private property. Trees should not be planted under overhead utilities and the purchaser should call Miss Dig at (800) 482-7171 to locate underground utilities before beginning any tree planting or digging project. [Tips for Proper Planting of Containerized Trees]

City of East Lansing residents who wish to plant trees in the street right-of-way (typically the area between the curb and sidewalk) may do so only after obtaining permission from the City. This is necessary to ensure that underground and overhead utility and sidewalk/roadway conflicts are avoided.

Tree Planting in City of East Lansing Parks
City of East Lansing residents may purchase trees and donate them for planting in City of East Lansing parks. Residents wishing to donate trees should contact Dave Smith at the information listed below to coordinate this effort. City of East Lansing personnel will be available to plant donated trees. For questions, contact Dave Smith, Environmental Specialist, City of East Lansing at 337-9459 or dsmith@cityofeastlansing.com. For additional local partners who have trees for sale in the 21 EAB quarantined counties visit www.michigan.gov/dnrucf or contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at 517 241-1833.

Restoration of Our Trees Program (ROOT)