Tree giveaway South Carolina

Free trees distributed in coastal community of Myrtle Beach

More than 700 trees given to aid in hurricane recovery

April 27, 2023 —

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the fourth community to benefit from SageSure’s paperless enrollment initiative and partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery Program. On Friday, April 7, 700 trees were distributed to community members through this eco-friendly giveback that provides free trees to storm-damaged communities.

Partnerships like this are possible because of the support of SageSure’s network of more than 11,400 independent agents and distribution partners. In Myrtle Beach, SageSure was joined by producer partners from the area, including Gail Mishoe and Ronnie Causey of Peoples Underwriters; Brandon Skipper of Southeaster Alliance Underwriters; Megan Cvinar and Monica Archer of McGriff; Terri Branson of We Insure; and Lyssa Pittman and Rachel Watson of Davis Insurance, who volunteered to help distribute trees.

Strong winds, hurricanes and wildfires cause significant damage to communities. Property insurance can restore structures and belongings, but the loss to the tree canopy often remains.

Woman holding tree at tree giveaway event.
Patricia was delighted to receive trees for her two-acre property and called it a blessing saying, “I’m so grateful!”

According to one study, the percentage of urban forest lost in studied hurricanes ranged from 11% in Hurricane Erin to 38% in Hurricane Andrew.1 That same data reported Hurricane Katrina destroyed 23% of the urban forest. Another study equates the percent of forests lost in Hurricane Katrina to 5 million acres or 320 million trees.2

Woman holding tree at tree giveaway event.
Courtney is concerned about how loss of trees impacts the ecosystem. She lives near the intercoastal waterway in Myrtle Beach and was happy to receive trees to improve the drainage on her coastal property.

Since September 2020, SageSure has contributed over $110,845 and sponsored four community tree giveaway events in Onalaska, Texas; Wilmington, North Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, replacing more than 3,800 trees in areas devastated by natural disasters. SageSure donates $1 to the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery Program for every policyholder who chooses electronic delivery of their insurance documents.

“It is so meaningful when partners go the extra mile to not only support this important work, but also welcome their community to participate in the impact they’re making,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “SageSure’s paperless campaign continues to show their commitment toward sustainability and demonstrates the high level of motivation many of us have in acting as stewards for our community environments.”

Just one hurricane can wipe out millions of trees leaving a lasting impact on our ecosystem. Trees provide shade and conserve energy and prevent soil erosion, all benefits necessary in coastal areas where storms and flooding are more prevalent.

Trees conserve energy

Shade provided by trees not only creates a reprieve from the summer heat for people, it also benefits the planet. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, shade surfaces can be 20°F to 45°F cooler than unshaded surfaces.3

Air temperatures are also cooler as the result of trees and the process of evapotranspiration, a fancy word to describe how water transfers from the land to the atmosphere, which has a cooling effect and can reduce temperatures by 2°F to 9°F.3 Keeping air and surface temps cooler naturally means less energy invested in decreasing temperatures.

Trees help with water control

Trees require a staggering amount of water to survive. Just one deciduous tree can absorb more than 500 gallons of water in a year and a mature evergreen can intercept more than 4,000 gallons per year.4 Hurricane Ian caused significant flooding in the Myrtle Beach area. Trees and forests soak up excess rainwater and help reduce flooding.

Woman holding tree at tree giveaway event.
Judy has been a resident of the Myrtle Beach area for 20 years. She understands homeowners’ concerns about the damage trees can cause during a storm, but believes even with the risk, the role trees play in building storm-resilient communities is vital. “Keep the trees!” she said.
Woman holding tree at tree giveaway event.
Hurricanes are no stranger to Josie. She’s been living near the coast for decades and even remembers Hurricane Hazel in 1954. She recently lost a big oak in her backyard and was grateful to receive a replacement to nurture in the years to come.

Trees help prevent soil erosion

Trees don’t just drink water, their roots secure them into the ground and act as an anchor for soil, preventing it from being washed away. The intricate root system, which holds the tree and soil in place, also helps water drain into the ground instead of flowing over the top. Tree leaves also help with erosion, acting as a buffer as rain falls — just another way trees prevent erosion.

Anyone who has experienced a hurricane understands the effects and aftermath last long after the initial cleanup. Whether it is the economy, the rebuilding process or the restoration of the tree canopy, restoring loss after a hurricane takes time, but it’s never too late to have an impact.

Policyholders who enroll to receive electronic documents through the end of this year will support a fifth tree distribution event this fall in another coastal state where SageSure provides coverage. If you’re a SageSure policyholder, log in to mysagesure.com and enroll.

  1. https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/documents/FR173.pdf
  2. https://www.americanforests.org/article/hurricanes-and-forests-impacts-over-the-past-two-decades/
  3. https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-trees-and-vegetation-reduce-heat-islands
  4. https://extension.psu.edu/the-role-of-trees-and-forests-in-healthy-watersheds