Black Hills Energy giving away 1,000 trees

To help customers save money on their utility bills, Black Hills Energy teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away 1,000 trees.

If you are a Black Hills Energy customer you can go to Arbor Day to begin the process of getting a free tree.

On the website you enter your address, cover your home with an interactive box and select your tree. 

There are five options, Swamp White Oak, Allegheny Serviceberry, Bur Oak, Norway Spruce and Sugar Maple. They are first come first serve and there is limited availability for Lincoln.

“All of them where picked out to be good for our climate and conditions here,” Brandy Johnson with Black Hills Energy said.  

The website’s interactive tool allows users to find the ideal location for the tree around their home and see how much money can be saved annually.

“They will also help protect your home from the hot summer sun or those strong cold winter winds,” Johnson said. “Those trees might not last long. We encourage our customers to hop on it right away.”

It is estimated 20% of energy costs can be saved with a strategically placed tree. If you are given a tree, Arbor Day will drop a two to four foot tree of your choosing at your home.

An instructional pamphlet will be included and the planting of the tree is up to the owners choosing. 

The program Energy Saving Trees started in 2014 and has planted over 5,500 trees. 

April is National Safe Digging Month and a quick call to 8-1-1 can prevent a damaged, punctured or broken underground line.