The state’s two largest utility companies are promoting programs to help their customers plant trees. Alliant Energy has partnered with the Trees Forever organization to plant trees in 25 communities as part of its Branching Out program.
Meanwhile, MidAmerican Energy customers can purchases trees for their yards at a deep discount. Ashton Newman is a spokeswoman for MidAmerican. “They can purchase high-quality trees for 30-dollars. They normally retail at 65-dollars,” Newman said.
The trees offered by MidAmerican range from 3 to 8 feet in height and are selected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. They’re sold on a preordered, first-come, first-served basis primarily though the utility’s website.
MidAmerican has also scheduled events at four locations this fall to sell the trees; September 26 in Oskaloosa, October 1 in Sioux City, October 7 in Waukee, and October 10 in Des Moines.
The tree-planting programs are designed to promote energy efficiency. “Trees, when planted in the right location, are shade for hot summer days and they shield homes from winter winds,” Newman said.
Reporting by Chris Berg, KCHA and Pat Curtis, Radio Iowa