Duke Energy Florida to give away 2,500 free trees to customers to honor Florida Arbor Day

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Florida, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees program, is giving away 2,500 free trees to its customers to honor Florida Arbor Day on Friday (Jan. 18).

Duke Energy customers statewide can request a free tree, in a one-gallon pot, online at arborday.org/dukeenergy starting Friday and continuing until all trees are distributed.

The website enables a customer to insert his or her address and select the location on the property where the tree will be planted. The website will then recommend which of the available tree species is best suited for that region.

It will also specify the planting location on the customer's property that will provide the most energy-saving benefits for the home.

The tree is then shipped directly to the customer's home in a box with planting and care instructions. The trees are expected to be delivered in time for National Arbor Day, April 26, 2019.

Available tree species include the Eastern Redbud, Crape myrtle, Dahoon Holly, Florida Maple, Red Bottlebrush and Pineapple Pear.

Duke Energy Florida is investing $100,000 to purchase the trees and has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to distribute them.

Duke Energy has participated in the program for three consecutive years. Since 2017, the company has given away more than 5,000 trees to customers throughout the state.

"Trees help conserve energy, they are beautiful additions to any yard, and they provide much-appreciated shade in the Sunshine State," said Catherine Stempien, Duke Energy Florida president. "We help customers plant the right tree in the right place so we can continue to provide safe and reliable energy. Our ongoing Energy-Saving Trees partnership, along with our recognition as a 'Tree Line USA' utility for 13 consecutive years, exemplifies our commitment to our customers and the environment."

The Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees and Tree Line USA programs demonstrate how trees and utilities can co-exist for the benefit of communities and citizens by highlighting best management practices in public and private utility arboriculture.

Tree Line USA evaluates applicants, such as Duke Energy, based on several criteria, including their adherence to industry best practices for tree care, training of employees and contractors, implementation of public education and tree-planting projects, and participation in annual Arbor Day events. Duke Energy Florida has been recognized for its tree management practices for 13 consecutive years.

For information about planning and planting vegetation around electrical facilities, please visit Duke Energy's Plan Before You Plant website.  

According to the Florida Forest Service, Florida has one of the oldest Arbor Day celebrations in the nation, having held the statewide event on the third Friday in January every year since 1886.

Meanwhile, National Arbor Day has been observed since 1872 on the last Friday in April.

Both state and national Arbor Day activities promote the benefits of trees in urban environments and encourage tree planting and care.

For additional information, customers can visit arborday.org/dukeenergy.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida owns and operates a diverse generation mix, including natural gas, coal and renewables, providing about 9,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.8 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.

Duke Energy Florida is a subsidiary of Duke Energy DUK.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

The company's Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit serves approximately 7.6 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Commercial Renewables unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the U.S.

A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's Best Employers" list.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Peveeta Persaud
Office: 727.820.5592 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_PeveetaP

SOURCE Duke Energy