April 17, 2006 (Indianapolis, IN)—Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., in partnership with Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), will be giving away free trees on the Circle from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Arbor Day, Friday, April 28, as part of the Indy Free Tree program. 

Residents of Marion County who visit our booth on the circle, located on the southeast quadrant in front of the IPL building, will receive one of 500 free 2-3 ft. Sargent Crabapple trees with a retail value of $30.00 (limit one tree per person). 

Participants will also have the opportunity to register to win one of ten 6-8ft.Oak or Maple trees with a retail value of $125.00.  Winners do not have to be present to win.  Winners will be contacted to set up arrangements to pick up the tree, along with literature about planting trees in correct locations.

Large oak and maple trees have also been provided to four IPS schools.  Students will learn about tree stewardship and how to properly plant the trees throughout the week of Arbor Day. 

The purpose of the Indy Free Tree program is to promote stewardship of the environment as well as to educate the public of the importance of trees and planting the “Right Tree in the Right Place.”

Since 1995, over 300,000 free trees have been given to the public through Indy Free Tree.

The Sargent Crabapple tree, one of the smallest crab apple trees, will grow 8 - 10 feet tall and 14 - 16 feet wide.  It flowers profusely in early spring with pink to white scented blossoms.  Sargent crabapples are excellent for wildlife because of their edible dark red fruit.  This tree does best in an area with full sun. 

For more information about Indy Free Tree call 264-7555 or visit www.kibi.org.

To learn more about planting the Right Tree in the Right Place, visit IPLpower.com.

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Contact: David Forsell, 223-5180