An Earth Day initiative by The Glasshouse Nursery & Garden Centre Ltd. has resulted in 1,000 large trees being distributed to residents across Chatham-Kent.
The Chatham garden centre offered free six- to eight-foot trees to members of its Garden Club as part of a community-focused environmental program aimed at encouraging tree planting throughout the region.
The giveaway included native species such as maples and serviceberries. Unlike many tree giveaways that distribute seedlings, the program focused on larger, plant-ready trees intended to make an immediate impact in local landscapes.
“We wanted to encourage people to plant trees in a meaningful way,” owner Dave Van Raay said. “As someone who has built a life around growing things, I feel a responsibility to give back and help invest in the future. Planting trees is one of the most important things we can do for the next generation.”
According to the garden centre, community response was strong, with all 1,000 trees fully reserved shortly after the initiative was announced. Staff have since been coordinating pickups with hundreds of participating residents.
Due to demand, the program is now fully subscribed and no additional trees are available. The garden centre is asking members of the public not to call regarding availability, as all inventory has already been allocated.
“This exceeded anything we expected,” Van Raay said. “It shows just how much people care about their environment and their community.”
In addition to distributing the trees, staff have also been providing guidance on proper planting techniques to help ensure the trees thrive long term.
The Glasshouse Nursery & Garden Centre Ltd. said it hopes to continue offering educational and community-focused initiatives in the future.
