February 19, 2008. The Department of Natural Resources, together with the DTE Energy Foundation, and the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, today announced the start of the 2008 Restoration Of Our Trees (ROOT) program. The ROOT program will assist residents in southeast Michigan’s 21 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantined counties in replanting trees lost to EAB.
“The ROOT program will help to replant our urban, suburban and rural landscapes, and support those who have been impacted by the devastating effect of EAB in Michigan,” said Lynne Boyd, chief of the DNR’s Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division.
Residents of the 21 EAB quarantined counties in southeastern Michigan are eligible to participate in the program. A maximum of two trees per household can be purchased at a cost of $21 each. The DTE Energy Foundation will pay the remaining cost. Available tree species for the 2008 program are sugar maple, river birch, ginkgo, tulip tree, dawn redwood, London planetree, red oak and swamp white oak. Trees are in 5-7 gallon containers and 5-8 feet tall. Trees purchased may be picked up in April.
“At DTE Energy, we are well aware of the devastation that the Emerald Ash Borer has caused in southeast Michigan,” said Fred Shell, vice president of DTE Energy’s Corporate and Governmental Affairs and President of the DTE Energy Foundation. “We have added emphasis on ash tree replacement to our existing Tree Planting Grant Program, and we are happy to sponsor the ROOT program which offers assistance to homeowners who want to replace their lost ash trees.”
To participate in the program, residents should contact one of the eight participating local partners, or visit the DNR ROOT Program Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrucf to download a random drawing form or order form.
As a result of the overwhelming homeowner response to last year’s program, trees sold by the local partners will either be through a random drawing process, or on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for an attached list of local partners who provide information on which type of program is available. The order form/random drawing form for each local partner will provide instructions on how to participate. 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.
