Orlando wants to increase tree count

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The City of Orlando wants to give every single one of its residents a tree. The goal, according to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, is to plant 250,000 throughout the City Beautiful.  "That's not hard to do, if everybody takes responsibility for planting one tree. So we would like them on private property as well as public property."

OUC is giving the city $50,000 to make it happen. The mayor says residents can visit the city's website for details.  "You can go online and ask for a tree to be sent to you, and we will actually mail a tree that you can plant, or you can come pick one up."

The city plans to hand out shade trees like Live Oaks, Willows, and Magnolias. Mayor Dyer says Orlando has a 25 percent canopy coverage today, but they would like it to be 40 percent.  "They remove carbon dioxide so the greenhouse gas effect, so its good for the air quality as well."

If you are an OUC customer asking why a portion of the money you pay for a power bill is going to buy trees to be given away, the mayor wants you to get involved and be a part of it.  "If you have trees that shade your house, you can reduce your energy costs by as much as 30 percent."

To learn more or get a free tree in Orlando, click here.