Free tree seedlings to help plant it forward

Suffolk County will give away 2,500 red oak tree seedlings to county residents from Arbor Day, April 24 to April 30, or while supplies last.

The seedling giveaway is part of the Planting It Forward 2276 Program, where residents can officially document the planting of trees through the Living Legacy Tree Registry that will be stored in county archives for future generations to see.

The Planting It Forward 2276 Program is part of the ongoing Suffolk 250 initiative honoring America’s 250th anniversary.

From Arbor Day through July 4, residents can plant seedlings and trees anywhere in the county and register the location and/or coordinates on the Living Legacy Tree Registry through suffolk250.org. Each registered tree will receive a Suffolk 250 Living Legacy Certificate of Registration.

Residents can pick up their free seedlings from Suffolk County Parks at the following pick-up locations during normal business hours beginning April 24:

Gardiner County Park Montauk Highway, Bay Shore

Blydenburgh County Park Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown

Sears Bellows County Park 63 Bellows Pond Road, Hampton Bays

Southaven County Park 761 Victory Avenue, Brookhaven

West Sayville County Park 200 Montauk Highway, West Sayville

West Hills County Park Sweet Hollow Road, Huntington

Lake Ronkonkoma County Park 600 Lake Shore Road, Lake Ronkonkoma

Timber Point County Park Great River Road, Oakdale

Bergen Point County Park Bergen Avenue, West Babylon

Indian Island County Park Cross River Drive (Route 105), Riverhead