People started lining up well before the free tree giveaway got underway in 91原创 on Saturday afternoon, June 5.

When it began at 2 p.m., it took about 15 minutes for 91原创-Aldergrove Conservative MP Tako van Popta and members of the 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) to hand out 500 seedlings, a mix of Evergreen Huckleberries and Pacific Crabapples.

Handouts explained both trees are native to B.C.

The Pacific Crabapple is the only apple tree native to the province and can attract pollinators like the mason bee, while the Evergreen Huckleberry attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators.

Saturday鈥檚 giveaway was a continuation of the annual tradition started by the late MP Mark Warawa who distributed native seedlings more than a decade ago and now taken over by van Popta, who used to assist Warawa with his distribution.

van Popta was pleased to see the lineup stretching across the parking lot in the Home Depot parking lot off 200th Street.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very popular,鈥� van Popta told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淕etting a lot of people out here to do their part to keep the planet green.鈥�

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Late last month, van Popta rose in the House of Commons to announce this year鈥檚 giveaway, saying the number of trees being planted may not be as much as the millions the Liberal government keeps promising to plant, without actually planting, but 鈥渙ur trees are real trees that will absorb greenhouse gases.鈥�

The 91原创 event marked the last day of Canadian Environment Week, to celebrate nature, protect biodiversity, and learn about Canada鈥檚 landscape.

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Natural Resources Minister Seamus O鈥橰egan announced Friday that 30 million trees will be planted this season out of the two billion his government promised over the next 10 years during the 2019 federal election campaign.

That goal will see Canada plant an extra 200 million trees each year, which the government says will eventually help sequester carbon.