Amsterdam 750th anniversary: residents can pick up a tree for free

Amsterdam residents can pick up a tree for free on Saturday. The Healthy City Foundation will be handing out a total of 7,500 trees at four locations as a gift for the capital's 750th anniversary.

With the annual campaign, the organization wants to encourage Amsterdam residents to make the city greener by planting a tree in their garden, allotment, balcony, or other private property. Last year, the foundation distributed 3,200 trees.

Alderwoman Melanie van der Horst and director of the Healthy City Foundation Hannah Hendrikx started the campaign at 11:00 a.m. at Stadsboerderij Osdorp.

Interested parties can choose from the wild cardinal's hat and the field maple, both native tree species. "We have chosen small-growing species that are suitable for urban gardens and balconies and contribute to the biodiversity in the city with their flowers and berries," according to the organization.

The trees will be distributed at the Stadsboerderij Osdorp in Nieuw-West, De Ceuvel in Noord, De Groene Hub in Zuidoost, and KIT Tropentuin in Oost. The plants are a maximum of one meter and can therefore be taken on a bicycle or in public transport, the organization says.

According to the foundation, trees located directly in front of the house have a beneficial effect on people's health.“ A large tree in front of your house or apartment offers as much or even more cooling than 5 air conditioners. Moreover, that tree purifies the air, collects rainwater, is a play area for your child, a home for birds, and a food source for pollinators. It is so important that more trees come to the city,” Hendrikx says.