By Lesley Rigney

Native trees – those naturally occurring in a specific area – offer ecological, aesthetic and practical benefits that make them ideal for the suburban landscape.

In partnership with Deep Roots KC, Johnson County Stormwater Management is giving away 200 3-gallon native trees provided by Forrest-Keeling Nursery with pre-registration and details available at containtherainjoco.com.

Possible tree options include redbuds, black gum, swamp white oak, sugar maple and tulip tree.

Stormwater Management will have a designated area for the tree giveaway at the Deep Roots KC Native Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Prairie Village Municipal Offices, 7700 Mission Road. Residents can also receive 50% off vouchers to purchase high quality native trees at the sale. Limited supplies will be available.

Most Johnson County cities also offer a native tree cost share program through containtherainjoco.com where residents may receive up to 50% reimbursement for planting native trees.

Why choose native trees?

• Adaptable: These species have evolved over centuries to thrive in our local climate and soil conditions, making them more resilient to pests, diseases and drought. This makes for a lower maintenance landscape!
• Biodiversity: They provide essential food and habitat for our local birds, pollinators and other wildlife that depend on specific plants for survival. For example, oak species support hundreds of caterpillar species, which in turn feed nesting birds.
• Aesthetics: Native trees blend naturally into the environment, creating a sense of place and connectivity with the surrounding ecosystem. They provide seasonal interest with blooms, fall color and attractive bark and branching structures. Species like American linden and black gum are stunning varieties!
• Practical: The suburban tree canopy intercepts rainwater, increases the permeability of the soil to absorb stormwater runoff, cleans the air and provides critical shade.

Lesley Rigney is water quality specialist at the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program at the Department of Public Works.