Reading Takes Root: The Davey Tree Expert Company Announces Plans to Bring More Than 25,000 Reading Trees to Communities Across the Country

KENT, Ohio, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Many people say their favorite place to read a book is under the cool shade of a tree canopy, whether it's on their backyard patio, at the park or near a beach.

The Davey Tree Expert Company is honoring the 25-year legacy of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" by bringing that coveted experience to more communities across the country.  In a program it calls "Reading Takes Root,"  Davey will donate and plant 25 large oak trees on school grounds across the U.S. in conjunction with school library renovations carried out by Target and The Heart of America Foundation.  

The initial live oak tree planting took place on May 16th at the KIPP Believe School in New Orleans, with footage of that installation appearing as a surprise to Winfrey on one of her show's penultimate episodes that aired on Monday, May 23. Throughout the year, Davey will also plant 25,000 more trees in communities across the country.

These trees will not only provide clean air and water, heating and cooling benefits and enhance community and property values, but they will also provide the children of these schools with shaded play areas, chances to see science in action and quiet places to read. As these trees continue to grow in good health, they will give these children chances to foster healthy bodies and healthy minds by providing places to play and learn – all driving the growth of happier, healthier communities.

"Davey is honored to celebrate 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' in this socially responsible initiative to plant reading trees for children in communities across the country," says Karl Warnke, Davey's chairman, president and CEO. "As these trees take root, we also hope the air will become cleaner, the cooling effects of shade will become broader, and the environmental and economic future of our nation's communities will strengthen."

For more information, go to www.davey.com/ReadingTakesRoot.

The Davey Tree Expert Company, with U.S. and Canadian operations in 45 states and five provinces, provides a variety of tree care, grounds maintenance and consulting services for the residential, commercial, utility and government markets. Founded in 1880, Davey is employee owned and has more than 7,000 employees who provide Proven Solutions for a Growing World. For more information, visit www.davey.com.

SOURCE The Davey Tree Expert Company