Delmarva Power has extended the sign-up period for customers who would like to receive free trees through Energy-Saving Trees, an Arbor Day Foundation program that helps conserve energy and reduce energy bills through strategic tree planting. Customers reserved about 1,200 trees in the last few weeks, so there are approximately 1,800 trees remaining to be given away.

Delmarva Power customers can reserve their free trees at arborday.org/Delmarvatrees, through Wednesday, Nov. 21. An online tool helps customers estimate the annual energy savings that will result from planting trees in the most strategic locations near their homes or businesses. Customers can reserve up to two trees and are expected to care for and plant them in the location provided by the online tool. The types of trees offered include Washington hawthorn, white dogwood, bald cypress, American beech, hackberry, river birch and sugar maple.

The two- to four-foot-tall trees will be delivered directly to customers at an ideal time for planting.

“This program benefits the environment and can help customers save money on their energy bills,” said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power region president.

The Energy-Saving Trees online tool was created by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Davey Institute, a division of Davey Tree Expert Co., and uses peer-reviewed scientific research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s i-Tree software to calculate estimated benefits. In addition to providing approximate energy savings, the tool also estimates the trees’ other benefits, including cleaner air, reduced carbon dioxide emissions and improved stormwater management.

Many scientists say that within 20 years the 3,000 mature trees will result in more than $500,000 in energy savings.

Delmarva Power, a public utility owned by Pepco Holdings Inc., provides safe and reliable energy to more than 500,000 electric delivery customers in Delaware and Maryland and over 124,000 natural gas delivery customers in northern Delaware.

More information about the Arbor Day Foundation and its conservation programs can be found at www.arborday.org.