Now may be the perfect time to plant a tree in your yard. 

The town has partnered with the Green Infrastructure Center and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Urban and Community Forestry program to give away dozens of trees. 

The free tree program is aimed at helping implement the Barrington Strategic Tree Canopy Plan, which was recently completed by the Green Infrastructure Center. 

Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey said there is an effort underway to maintain the town’s tree canopy. 

“These programs are great for individuals to take advantage of free opportunities to plant native species on their property,” Hervey said. “It helps us maintain our tree canopy, which is important.”

Hervey said the town’s tree canopy along Maple Avenue will take a hit when crews install a new sidewalk from Walter Street to Prince’s Hill Avenue. He said more than a dozen trees will be cut down to make room for the new sidewalks. 

“They’re just in the way of the sidewalk that has to be a certain width,” Hervey said. “There’s just no room for them.

“We’re trying to come up with a plan to replace those trees in the Maple area, the Maple corridor. The right of way is 40 feet, so we’re looking at some public property, but also hopefully neighbors adjacent to the street, the right of way, will be open to allow us to plant some trees on their own property, just off the street. A street tree, but really on private property. It’s just a tight right-of-way.”

Hervey said he would like to see maple trees planted. “Maple Avenue. Maples. Our goal would be maples,” he said. 

Hervey pointed to another recent construction project in town — the new turning lane on Lincoln Avenue at the intersection with Middle Highway — where officials were able to plant two new trees for every one tree that was removed as part of the work. 

“Those turned out great,” Hervey said. “When you replace them our goal would be 2-for-1. It’s just a challenge. I don’t know if we can find 2-for-1 within the Maple Avenue corridor. It might have to be 1-for-1. Unfortunately, it’s just where the road is, the curb, and how much right-of-way you have.

“If they already had trees near the ones we’re taking down, if you can find a spot nearby, that would be our goal. We just need to continue to work with property owners.”

Hervey said there are many benefits to having a large healthy tree canopy. 

“It actually adds value too. To have a lot of trees, a nice full canopy, it adds value to the street itself. It makes it much more appealing,” he said.