Duke Energy Florida has announced a tree giveaway program for its customers, offering 1,000 free trees in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. The initiative is set to coincide with Florida Arbor Day on January 16, allowing customers to request a free tree online while supplies last.
The company will ship 1-gallon trees directly to recipients’ homes, complete with planting and care instructions. Delivery is expected by National Arbor Day in April. Tree species available through the program include sweetbay magnolia, crape myrtle, live oak, ‘Shoal Creek’ vitex, and Flordaking Peach.
This annual event is part of Duke Energy Florida’s ongoing effort to encourage responsible tree planting near power lines. Since 2017, more than 15,000 trees have been distributed through collaborations with the Arbor Day Foundation and local communities.
“When the right tree is planted in the right place, it can help provide shade and cleaner air, while reducing vulnerabilities to the power lines nearby,” said Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida. “This year’s giveaway of 1,000 trees is another way we’re working with the communities and customers we serve to grow healthier tree canopies and support long-term power reliability.”
Duke Energy Florida employs certified arborists and environmental specialists who work throughout the year alongside contractors to identify hazards related to trees near power lines. Their responsibilities include trimming trees, applying herbicides when necessary, and removing those that pose current or future threats to electrical infrastructure.
For nearly two decades, Duke Energy Florida has received recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for its tree management practices.
Customers are encouraged to consider factors such as mature size and shape before selecting a tree species. Planting at an appropriate distance from power lines helps reduce outages caused by fallen branches or debris. Customers are also advised to call 811 or use www.Sunshine811.com before digging on their property so that utility companies can mark underground cables and pipes.
Additional safety guidelines recommend keeping ground transformers clear for maintenance access—maintaining at least ten feet of clearance in front of transformers and three feet on all other sides—and avoiding any attempts to trim trees near energized power lines without professional assistance.
Duke Energy Florida provides electricity across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida with an energy capacity of 12,500 megawatts serving approximately two million customers. Its parent company, Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), serves over eight million electric customers across several states and operates both electric and natural gas utilities nationwide.
More information about safe planting practices around electrical facilities can be found on Duke Energy’s Right Tree Right Place website.
For further details or media inquiries regarding this initiative or other programs at Duke Energy Florida contact Laitin Sterling at 800-559-3853.
