Unitil Gives 600 Trees And Shrubs To Customers In New Hampshire, Massachusetts

HAMPTON, NH — Unitil said its forestry crews delivered 600 trees and shrubs last week to some customers for spring planting as part of a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation.

The giveaway reached customers in targeted areas within the Hampton-based utility’s electric service territories in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The company said the effort began in 2015, when it teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation to offer replacement trees to customers who allowed the utility to remove trees on their properties through its Storm Resiliency Program. Since then, more than 7,200 trees and shrubs have been planted, according to Unitil. The trees are typically donated around Arbor Day, which the announcement described as a way to encourage planting and highlight environmental sustainability.

Unitil External Affairs Manager Amanda Vicinanzo said the annual effort has reached thousands of customers over time.

“This is an annual giveaway that has involved more than 3,500 customers who have been able to plant new trees and shrubs in appropriate locations over the years that are providing long-term energy, community and environmental benefits,” she said. “We would also like to thank those customers for their cooperation and understanding during this tree trimming work that has been a critical part of Unitil’s Storm Resiliency Program, which has been an effective way to reduce the number of power outages on our system.”

The resiliency program is intended to improve electric reliability through enhanced tree pruning and the removal of hazardous trees in specific locations. Unitil said those locations are chosen based on factors including the number of customers affected, site conditions, line configurations, and critical infrastructures identified by towns.

According to Chris Moultroup, Unitil’s Manager of Forestry Operations, species available this year included Red Maple, Sweetbay Magnolia, Highbush Blueberry, Persimmon, Black Tupelo, and Satyr Hill American Holly. The company said the selection usually includes taller trees that can be planted elsewhere on a property to help reduce energy use, along with lower-growing trees and shrubs that can be planted under power lines.

Some recipients shared what they planned to do with their new plantings.

“We’re really excited that we were given the opportunity,” Brianna Debitetto said after receiving two black tupelo trees.

Alan Perkins, who received two red maple trees, said, “I’ve got some trees out in the back that are dying, so I’d like to get some more shade.”

Michael Saindon, who received two Rose of Sharon bushes in 2015, said of those earlier plantings, “They’re doing great and look nice with all the flowers. We’re very happy with them.”