ANAHEIM, CA (April 25, 2006) - The City of Anaheim celebrated a milestone today as the 30,000th tree was planted by city dignitaries in a courtyard adjacent to City Hall. The ceremony, a culmination of the city’s Tree Appreciation Week, recognized 14 years of success for Anaheim Public Utilities’ TreePower Program, which annually plants an average of more than 2,100 shade trees.

“TreePower is one of those unique programs that keeps on delivering benefits for individual utility customers, the utility itself and our community as whole, year after year,” said Curt Pringle, Anaheim mayor. “When I see a tree-lined street or walkway, I feel a certain pride and sense of well being. It enhances individual properties, the neighborhood and the entire community. It looks like home.”

“TreePower is based on the idea that the right tree, strategically planted in the right place, will create shade for homes and buildings, and reduce energy used for air conditioning,” said Stephen Faessel, Anaheim Public Utilities Board chairman. “However, the community benefits from much more than trees and energy savings. TreePower makes classroom presentations at Anaheim schools, emphasizing the value and importance of trees in our environment.”

The ceremony included an inspiring performance by the Anaheim High School Choir Ensemble, a special presentation of “Tree City USA” and “Tree Line USA” awards to Anaheim by the California Department of Forestry and, finally, the ceremonial planting of the 30,000th tree.

“Imagine, for 22 years, Anaheim’s commitment to urban forestry has been honored with the Tree City USA designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation,” Pringle said. “And, this is our third Tree Line USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation and the California Department of Forestry for the work done to keep trees clear of power lines. These awards recognize our significant accomplishments in the care and management of our community’s urban forest.”

Joining Pringle and Faessel in the tree-planting ceremony were Terry Lowe, Community Services Department director, and Marcie Edwards, Public Utilities Department general manager.

The TreePower Program, a joint energy-efficiency effort of the City’s Utilities and Community Services Departments, offers free shade trees to homes, schools, churches and small businesses. Residents can sign up for a free landscape audit, allowing them to receive up to three free shade trees. The landscape audit is designed to help the residents select shade trees that are most suitable for their home’s landscape. Following the audit, TreePower will deliver the trees and planting supplies to the home or organization.

With these shade trees, air-conditioning costs can be reduced by as much as 10 to 40 percent. At maturity, the trees will save 2 million kWhs (or enough energy to power 320 households for a full year), in addition to removing over 170 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

For more information about TreePower and the shade trees, please call 714/491-TREE or Click Here. To download a photo of the event, Click Here.

Caption for online photo:
City Council Members Harry Sidhu, Bob Hernandez, Lorri Galloway and Mayor Curt Pringle help plant TreePower’s 30,000th tree during ceremony Tuesday.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Additional Photos available upon request. Please contact Mike Ebbing at (714) 765-4284 or mebbing@anaheim.net.)