Formica Corporation and Xavier Men’s Basketball Plant 1,620 Trees

CINCINNATI (March 29, 2021) — As the weather warms up and the college basketball season comes to a close, Formica Corporation is preparing another tree planting effort with the Arbor Day Foundation thanks to some sharp shooting skills by the Xavier University men’s basketball team.

As part of the annual Threes for Trees campaign, Formica Corporation and the Arbor Day Foundation will plant 1,620 trees (10 for each made three point shot this season) in Florida’s Econfina Watershed. In seven years of this partnership, 16,440 trees have been planted on behalf of the Threes for Trees program.

“In a year where clean air and spending time outdoors is increasingly important, it was exciting to know that every long range basket meant 10 more trees in the ground where they are needed most,” said Amy Gath, vice president, marketing, Formica Corporation North America. “We continue to value this one-of-a-kind partnership and thank Arbor Day Foundation and Xavier basketball for joining us on this sustainability program.”

In 2018, Hurricane Michael passed through the Econfina Watershed, destroying thousands of acres of standing timber. The restoration of this area – in part due to the Threes for Trees program – provides forage for game and promotes native groundcover, wildflowers and other plants, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. 

Xavier Men's Basketball fans were updated on the number of threes made, and trees planted, throughout the season through various marketing elements such as graphics and signage inside the Cintas Center, radio broadcasts, and GoXavier.com. All three-pointers made, at both home and away games, counted towards the total number of trees planted. 

“One of the bright spots of an otherwise challenging season was our ability to continue the Threes for Trees Program,” said Duffy House, General Manager of Xavier Sports Properties. “We look forward to maintaining the momentum on this great initiative next season and could not be where we are today without the continued support of our long-time partner Formica Corporation.”