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| Tree Giveaway Update
KEYS ENERGY SERVICES' 15th ANNUAL TREE GIVEAWAY
Keys Energy Services (KEYS) will host its 15th Annual Tree Giveaway on Saturday, May 2nd, at 8:30 a.m. until the last tree finds a home, at KEYS' Service Building in Key West (1001 James Street) and at a new location in the Lower Keys at KEYS' Cudjoe Electrical Substation (MM 22, Oceanside). The giveaway is on a first-come, first-serve basis for all KEYS customers, who will have their choice of two free native shade trees each.
Beginning after 2009, KEYS will hold the event on odd-numbered years, with the 16th Annual Tree Giveaway taking place in 2011.
KEYS Tree Giveaway, which began in 1994, is part of a nationwide public power program called TREE POWER sponsored by the American Public Power Association (APPA). The national goal is to plant one tree for every public power customer for a total of 16 million trees. KEYS received the Golden Tree Award from the APPA for reaching its goal of planting more than 27,500 trees, or one for every customer it serves, in 2004. To-date, KEYS has given away over 34,000 native shade trees.
APPA is the national service organization representing more than 2,000 community-and state-owned electric utilities that provide electricity to 43 million Americans.
The following trees are scheduled to be avaiable at the Tree Giveaway while supplies last:
Bahama Senna (Cassia)
Bay Cedar
Beauty Berry
Black Ironwood
Blolly
Firebush
Geiger Tree
Locust Berry
Simpson Stopper
Smooth Strongback
Spicewood
Wild Lime
Tree species are subject to avaiability and may be substituted by KEYS for a comparable tree species. Approximately 1,500 total trees will be given out.
CONSERVE ENERGY WITH TREES!
While money doesn't grow on trees, trees can save you money by shading your home from the Florida Keys' hot sun.
The most effective way to reduce your cooling costs is to shade your home's air conditioning unit.
Next, plant shade trees to block the sun's warming rays. Target sidewalls on the western, easter and southern exposures to provide shade during Florida's warm months. Since windows provide the most direct entry for heat into your home, you'll want trees to shade your windows too.
Plant trees based on how they will look when full-grown: 20 feet from a wall is a good estimate. The closer the tree is planted to the house, the longer your home will remain shaded during the day; however, be careful not to plant trees too close to your home as roots can damage your foundation and falling limbs can damage your roof.
Finally, plant shrubs close to your walls to keep wall temperatures down and your home cooler.
WHEN PLANTING TREES, HELP KEYS PREVENT POWER OUTAGES!
When you plant a tree, KEYS asks that you consider the presence of power lines. The number one cause of power outages in the Lower Keys is the result of tree limbs intruding on electrical lines. Keeping trees trimmed away from electrical lines helps KEYS provide reliable electricity to all customers.
If any tree limbs are intruding on electrical lines, do not attempt to trim them yourself. Instead, call KEYS so a trained tree trimmer can safely trim the limbs away from electrical lines - free of charge. You may call KEYS at (305) 295-1010 to submit a tree trimming request, or submit your request online at www.KeysEnergy.com/trees.php
Trees may loose their beautiful shape after trimming. The best idea is to prevent the need for trimming. When you purchase or acquire a tree, KEYS recommends you ask how tall it will be when mature in order to help determine where you should plant it. A general rule to follow is:
- If the mature tree will grow to 20 feet, plant the tree 6-10 feet from power lines.
- If the mature tree will grow from 20 to 40 feet, plant the tree 8-14 feet from power lines.
- If the mature tree will grow taller than 40 feet, plant the tree 15-20 feet from power lines.
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