Tree Power Incentive Program Renewed For Arbor Day

Among pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory in 1854 was J. Sterling Morton from Detroit. Morton was a journalist and editor of Nebraska's first newspaper. Given that forum, he spread agricultural information and his enthusiasm for trees. Fellow pioneers needed trees as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials, and for shade from the hot sun.

In 1872, Morton proposed a tree-planting holiday to be called "Arbor Day". Prizes were offered for planting trees and it was estimated more than one million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day.

Today, most states observe Arbor Day the last Friday in April.

Again this year Menasha Utilities will be offering an energy efficient tree rebate program for the upcoming planting season.

Residential customers will be eligible for rebates not to exceed 50% of the purchase price, with a maximum of $50 per tree and a limit of three tree incentives per household, for the purchase and planting of a deciduous tree.

The program will be in effect from April 1 through September 30, 2005. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, until allocated funds are spent. Further details and the application form can be printed out by downloading our Tree Power Application.