AUGUSTA — Project Canopy, the Maine Forest Service’s community tree program, is offering a different type of tree-planting opportunity.

Through the generosity of Dutton’s Greenhouse and Nursery in Morrill, more than 1,000 trees, representing 75 different species, are being offered free of charge to municipalities, schools and nonprofit organizations for community planting, according to Project Canopy officials, under the Maine Department of Conservation.

“This donation will allow organizations throughout Maine to plant trees in public places where they otherwise would not,” Jan Ames Santerre, Project Canopy director, said. “Towns can plant trees to enhance their downtown, streets, parks and public buildings. Schools can plant them for shade on playgrounds, or to create an educational arboretum. All of the trees, when cared for, will benefit generations to come with their beauty and shade.”

Dutton’s unfortunately has decided to close operations at the end of the season this year, Santerre said. Rather than wholesaling the remaining stock, the business owners have decided to give back to the communities that over the years have supported their business by donating trees to Project Canopy, she said.

Cities, towns, schools and nonprofit organizations will be eligible to receive free trees for community planting. There is no limit on the number of trees each organization can receive, but recipients will be responsible for picking up their trees.

Sizes range from five-gallon shrubs to trees anywhere from 1- to 5-inches caliper, Santerre said. The trees are disease free, but there will not be any guarantee on their survival.

All recipients must first submit an application/registration with Project Canopy, so donations can be tracked and to minimize problems on the distribution dates.

Two distribution dates in September and October will be set aside to pick up trees at the nursery. For those smaller communities and organization that may not have the ability to transport the trees, there may be opportunities to consolidate transportation with larger service centers and surrounding Tree City USA communities, Santerre said. Project Canopy will work with organizations to make those connections.

To receive the inventory of trees available, and to register, contact Santerre at [email protected] or 287-4987. For more information on Project Canopy, visit www.projectcanopy.maine.gov.