Free Trees This Saturday!

Time to get a head start on this year’s garden: free trees will be up for grabs on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Putnam Triangle in Clinton Hill.

The giveaway at Fulton Street and Putnam Avenue is open to all, and a big crowd is expected. Last year’s event was originally set to last two days, but the 200 trees were snatched up in only an hour.

This time, 300 trees are available, and there is a limit of one person per tree.

But aesthetics aren’t the only reason to plant that baby dogwood. Last year’s barrage of big storms — including September’s unforgettable tornado — destroyed thousands of trees.

“The storms of the past year devastated Brooklyn’s stock of trees,” said Jed Marcus of Greene Fort Greene, which organized the event. “We need to get as many trees planted as we can.”

Three different types will be available.

• The Cherokee brave dogwood: known for its reddish-purple flowers in the fall.
• The Kwanzan cherry: known for bright pink flowers in the summer.
• The Yoshino cherry: known as the iconic tree of cherry blossom festivals, it has light pink flowers.

Horticulture specialists will be available to answer questions, and gardening tools can be borrowed from the event organizers. Volunteers will also assist people who need help getting the tree home.

To top it off, the Fulton Business Alliance will give out coupons for local business along Fulton Street.

Free trees are available at the Putnam Triangle at Fulton Street and Putnam Avenue from 10 a.m. to noon.