Falling in Love with Trees, Again: - Montgomery County Extension/4-H Awarded Georgia ReLeaf Grant

Falling in Love with Trees, Again:

Editor’s note: The Montgomery County Extension/4H Office has been awarded the Georgia ReLeaf Grant, which will allow many citizens to replant trees lost in Hurricane Helene. Montgomery County 4-H Member Hartley Williamson is leading the project as a part of her community service work through 4-H.

On September 28, 2024, many in Georgia woke up to destruction. Electricity and communication lines down, roads blocked, and many structures and land damaged or destroyed. We are a year later and still seeing the results of those damages as trees are being cleaned up, removed, and burned. Hurricane Helene changed our landscape with the number of trees that fell or were damaged. Our landscape as a rural area is not the same. But what are other impacts we are experiencing from the loss of trees besides the changing of our landscape? The loss of trees means that we have lost an essential part of our environment.

Trees are important in our surroundings. They help by cleaning our air, absorbing odors, filtering out particulates, and releasing oxygen into our atmosphere. Trees also help us conserve electricity by regulating temperature through shading andtranspiration. They can reduce the temperature around us by as much as 15 degrees. Thoughtful placing of trees around our homes can also reduce heating and cooling which help us save on electricity costs. Trees’ roots and canopies slow rainfall, which helps reduce run-off and erosion and allows rainfall to be absorbed slowly into the ground. If trees are mulched, the mulch acts like a sponge that absorbs and holds onto water. Trees also help reduce noise by providing a buffer from cars, machinery, and other people. They provide food for humans but also wildlife, as well as a habitat and nesting sites for animals. Trees also can be a source of income from wood, fruits or nuts. They increase property value by making property more attractive and enjoyable for relaxation and recreation.

As we reflect back over this past year, keep in mind that the trees that were lost or damaged by Hurricane Helene have changed more than just the way our surroundings look. It has changed how trees provide for both us and our surroundings.

Tree Giveaway

Have you missed being able to pick up pecans on your property because of the loss of your pecan tree? Or maybe this summer you missed being able to sit under that shade tree that at one time cooled you from the hot sun? As part of a Montgomery County High School student’s 4H and FFA projects and in partnership with Montgomery County Extension Service, a grant was submitted to the Georgia ReLeaf Grant, which is managed and funded by the Georgia Tree Council and the Georgia Forestry Commission.

We are excited to announce that a little over $9000 dollars was awarded to fund a tree give-away to residents in Montgomery County.

To receive a free tree, a resident of Montgomery County must go to https:// forms.gle/C45GXahHoGPyTNH77 and answer some simple questions. One of the questions will ask you to state your address to verify that the tree’s location will be in Montgomery County. The tree must be planted within the county.

After answering the survey, you will be sent to the form for reserving your tree. Only around 300 trees will be available so only one tree per address. Sign-up for trees will open on December 1 and will close on December 31 or until all trees are reserved.

Even if you do not want a free tree, please go to site and fill out the survey questions which will help with this research project.

Trees will be picked up at the Montgomery County High School greenhouse area on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Along with the tree you will also receive a water ring, a bag of mulch, and educational materials that will tell you about the type of tree you are receiving and how to take care of it.

If you are a Montgomery County resident, we hope that this tree giveaway will help you replace some of the trees you may have lost on your property. For further information, please contact Montgomery County Extension Service at 912-583-2240 or email lauren.stanley@uga.edu with any questions.