Annual tree giveaway at Fairgrounds Saturday

The Washington Tree Committee will be giving away 170 trees on Saturday morning.

The annual tree giveaway will be held at the east entrance of the Washington County Fairgrounds beginning at 8 a.m., Saturday.

Due to safety protocols, this year will be a drive-through event.

Committee Chair Marde McConnell said 170 trees will be given away, the most ever for the annual event.

“We’re trying to support all homeowners and especially those who lost trees due to the emerald ash borer or the derecho,” McConnell said.

A number of different trees will be available.

Small trees include:

• Yellow transparent apple.

• Granny Smith apple.

• Redbud.

• Carolina silver bell.

• Norway spruce.

Medium trees include:

• Persimmon.

• Sweet birch.

Large trees include:

• American beech.

• Hardy pecan.

• Princeton American elm.

• Swamp chestnut oak.

• Tulip tree.

• Yellow buckeye.

• Baldcypress.

• Eastern white pine.

McConnell said that people need to call One Call at 800-292-8989 before they do any digging to plant their trees.

This event is made possible by a Washington Iowa Betterment Foundation grant.