If you have come home recently and found a little flag in your yard offering you a free tree, it's no gimmick.

KVUE News

Austin Energy teamed up with TreeFolks to offer free trees to some residents.

It's an effort by Austin Energy and a group known as TreeFolks to try and help the heat island effect. That's where the city temperatures are 5-10 degrees warmer than surrrounding rural areas.

This mainly happens because of all the concrete and pavement.

Shaun Lee helps decide which streets would most benefit from the program.

"I'm looking at power lines and canopies that go over yards. If there are no canopy or power lines, then I will want to put a tree there," said Lee.

The goal is to give away four thousand trees..

Scott Harris with TreeFolks said the homeowners just have to agree to plant them and care for them.

"We have about 90 percent survival on the trees which is fantastic survival for trees in a tough area like Central Texas," Harris said.

The trees are positioned where they can help shade the pavement as well as the houses.

Harris said a good shade tree can save a homeowner plenty of money.

"A tree shading a home can save up to 30 percent of an energy bill," he said.

Central Texas is an area prone to oak wilt. For that reason, all of the varieties they are giving away this year are oak wilt resistant.

Lee said the trees will start arriving the first week in October.

"It's good because most of the trees are dormant...the weather is not real hot...it's just less stress on the trees," said Lee.

It's important to note that you are only eligible for the free trees if they leave you a tag on your door.

Currently they are focusing their efforts in the Crestview, Allendale and Brentwood areas.