Get Green With Free, Reduced Cost Trees From 'Denver Digs Trees'

DENVER (CBS4)- A nonprofit is helping keep Denver neighborhoods beautiful by offering inexpensive options for both public and private property. The Park People nonprofit is offering free and reduced cost trees for Denver Digs Trees.

For Denver residents, planting a tree in a public area like in the "tree lawn" near a sidewalk or planting one in their yard, the trees are discounted. Some neighborhoods are designated to receive trees free of charge.

"When I started planting the trees every body wanted to know why they were going in and where I was getting them. It has been really fun developing a community relationship," said Denver property owner Bob Micsak.

The group is hoping to target neighborhoods where the urban tree canopy is thin or low-income neighborhoods. The program's director says trees help to keep smog pollution down in urban area, and Denver is facing a massive tree loss as the insect identified as the Emerald Ash Borers threatens to kill off trees.

"This invasive pest has decimated tree canopy in other areas around the nation. It's going to come to Denver it's just a matter of time before it gets here so one of the best things that people can do to fight the problems that are gonna come from this tree loss is to plant new trees now," said The Park People program director Leah Jean Shafer.

The special program has provided more than 60,000 trees to Denver residents over the past 35 years.

It's not planting season yet, but supplies are limited and applications are available now.

LINK: The Park People