Free Tree Alert – NYSDEC Announces “Buffer in a Bag”

If you own at least 50 feet along a stream or waterbody in NYS, you may be eligible for free trees!

The NYS DEC announces the 2020 Buffer In A Bag program. Trees for Tribs Program and the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery provides landowners who own at least 50 feet of land along a stream or waterbody the opportunity to obtain a free bag of bare-root tree and shrub seedlings.

To be eligible for this program you need to own at least 50 feet of land along a stream or waterbody in New York State. Applicants are limited to one bag per property. All participants will have to provide photos and information on where their trees will be planted. If you are not sure your property fits this criteria, then contact the Trees for Tribs program at 518-402-9405 or by emailing treesfortribs@dec.ny.gov.

To apply, download and fill out a Buffer in a Bag application (get yours here) with all required documentation and email to treesfortribs@dec.ny.gov or mail to:

NYSDEC, Division of Lands and Forests
Attn: Trees for Tribs Coordinator
625 Broadway, 5th floor
Albany, NY 12233-4253

To learn more about this program, visit the DEC's website for more.