Tree-mendous Tampa Free Tree Program

Use this service to request trees be planted along the street right-of-way to enhance the neighborhood and help sustain Tampa’s community forest and shade canopy. Use this service to request trees be planted along the street right-of-way to enhance the neighborhood and help sustain Tampa’s community forest and shade canopy.

The Community Tree Program, was established in 1997 by the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department. The goals for this program are to enhance neighborhoods and help increase Tampa's Urban Forest. This program encourages individual and community involvement at both the time of planting and beyond, generating a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship within the community.

Ways Trees Can Benefit Your Neighborhood

• Trees help clean the air we breathe.
• Trees help clean our water by holding rainfall on the leaves and branches, making the threats of flooding less likely.
• Trees save energy by shading buildings and minimizing the need for air conditioning
• Trees give the neighborhoods a sense of place, a community where neighbors know one another, and slow traffic
• Studies show that trees help us feel peaceful and secure as they bring a bit of nature into our urban environments.
• Trees bring people together and neighborhoods are made stronger by the shady streets and parks.
• The tree canopy is essential for sustaining a viable ecosystem for birds, small animals, and the rest of the web of life that surrounds us

How the Program Works

• Trees are planted on City rights-of-way, which are located between the curb and sidewalk.
• Residents are responsible for watering the new tree for the first year after planting.
• Limit of 2 trees per annual planting year. Demise of any tree does not guarantee a replacement.
• Each site will be inspected to carefully match the new tree to existing landscape conditions and or restrictions.

Watering Guidelines

Watering is the single most important step in the survival of the newly planted tree(s). A commitment of a 90 day watering schedule will need to be followed.

• 1st set of 30 days after planting; water every day
• 2nd set of 30 days after planting; water every other day
• 3rd set of 30 days after planting; water every 3 days or twice a week

After the initial 90 day watering schedule; water 1 (once) a week and more often during times of shortage in rainfall. If your tree shows signs of wilting or leaves turning brown and falling off, water daily until tree shows no sign of wilting and new healthy growth appears.

Click here for more information on the Tree-Mendous Tampa Free Tree program