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* UPDATED: Download and print a Home Shade Tree program application form *
Trees for Tucson is an Urban Forestry Program of non-profit organization Tucson Clean & Beautiful, and is sponsored by Tucson Electric Power.
For questions regarding tree delivery, planting and maintenance for the residential shade tree program, please call Rocky Yosek, Trees for Tucson Program Assistant, at 791-3109. Trees for Tucson may also be contacted at tft@tucsonaz.gov by email.
 
Trees for Tucson was started in 1989 to encourage and facilitate desert-adapted tree planting in the Tucson metro area. Trees help beautify the community, shade buildings to conserve energy thereby reducing carbon emissions resulting from energy production, provide habitat for wildlife, trap air pollutants, control stormwater runoff, and block soil erosion. Trees also trap and store carbon dioxide, the leading cause of global warming. Lastly, trees transpire moisture from their leaves which absorbs heat and helps cool air temperatures at the hottest times of year and reduces the urban heat island effect.
Trees for Tucson Projects:
Trees for Shade:
Thanks to a grant from Tucson Electric Power, Tucson metro area homeowners in the TEP service area (including parts of Catalina, Green Valley, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita and Vail) can receive trees (some up to 6 feet tall) for $8.00 each, if they agree to plant them on the east, west or south side of their home. Homes built in 1980 or later, or that have been remodeled to include double-pane windows, may receive up to two trees. Homes built in 1979 and with single-pane windows may receive up to four trees. You must be a TEP customer to qualify. You may submit an individual home shade tree application, or compile applications with neighbors, co-workers, friends, or family members. Trees are delivered directly to homes, or a central location for group applications. Detailed planting and maintenance information is provided when the trees are delivered. Nearly 70,000 trees have been distributed through Trees for Tucson since Tucson Electric Power began its sponsorship in 1993 (and over 75,000 since the program's inception!). This program is conducted throughout the year.
Once your request is received, trees are delivered directly to qualified applicants generally within 6-8 weeks, or the time period specified on the posted application form. Tree selection varies throughout the year. Prepayment by check or money order is required with application. The holes do not have to be pre-dug before the trees are delivered. As long as potted trees are watered every day during the warm/hot months and every other day or so in the winter they can stay in the container for a week or two before planting. If you are planning to remove a tree, tree stump or other plants to make room for trees you are requesting from Trees for Tucson, please do so before you send in the application or shortly thereafter. This will help avoid situations where trees stay in containers too long and end up dying out or becoming root-bound. Planting locations will be checked when trees are delivered to ensure they meet the strict shading requirements spelled out on the application, as required by Tucson Electric Power. It is very important to adhere to these standards to ensure success in meeting TEP and Trees for Tucson energy saving objectives and allow even more residents to continue planting trees through this program in the future!
A brief description of trees available for the home shade program is included on the application form. For more information see detailed descriptions of commonly available trees.
Note: Customers of Trico Electric Cooperative are not presently eligible for the Trees for Tucson Program. Contact Trico at 744-2944 for details on Operation Cool Shade.
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Trees for Schools:
 Trees for Tucson offers several tree related activities
available to schools for all grade levels (K-12). An interactive 45 minute slide show highlighting different desert trees and their ecological significance is available for presentation to student groups. Topics include wildlife habitat, biological diversity, global warming/greenhouse effect and tree-ring dating of wood samples.
Hands-on tree Planting projects are always popular with
students. One or more five or fifteen-gallon sized
trees can be planted on school grounds by students,
with Trees for Tucson providing instruction on
proper tree planting techniques. Trees can be
provided at a low cost to any public or nonprofit school in
the Tucson area. Trees should be planted where
there is an adequate watering system to ensure
survival during the summer months.
Recommended steps for getting trees for your school (up to 4 fifteen gallon-sized trees per school):
1) Determine where irrigation lines are available - contact school district maintenance (TUSD: Rich Hoffman, 403-0645; Sunnyside: Richard Oro, 545-2105). Trees need automated watering to ensure survival. Relying on hand watering is discouraged due to reduced survival rates.
2) Have utility lines marked by the school district to avoid conflicts.
3) Call the Trees for Tucson program (791-3109) to determine types of trees and quantities available.
4) Arrange planting date and coordinate tree delivery and planting assistance (tools, planting specifications) with Trees for Tucson.
School Neighborhood Outreach projects are available
in conjunction with the Trees for Tucson Residential
Shade Tree Program. Students can engage in a hands-on
project helping to promote a product, organize
work and plant trees through teamwork and receive
the benefit of enhanced self-esteem through a
project that improves the environment and visual neighborhood around
their school.
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Trees for the Community:
Trees are also available for various projects including beautification and shade for community housing programs, landscaping for nonprofit organization sites, and other beautification efforts. Trees that will be planted to shade community and nonprofit buildings buildings may be provided free of charge; trees for community landscaping needs can be provided at a discount.
Trees for Neighborhoods (Street Trees):
Trees for Tucson can provide trees for neighborhood groups who would like to plant trees along their streets or public common areas. For more information call 791-3109. Before requesting street trees, please see Street Tree Planting Information for additional qualifications, guidelines and assistance available for community groups to plan their project. Trees can also be provided for public and nonprofit sites as well as wash restoration areas if the trees will be planted by volunteers. Trees for Tucson can help obtain any permits that might be required for planting in the public right of way along the street, and provide advice on issues such as utility line avoidance, traffic sight visibility and pedestrian access. Hands-on assistance and detailed information on tree planting and planning for long-term care is provided for residents.
Trees for Commemoration:
El Paseo de los Arboles (The Pathway of the Trees) is a commemorative tree planting park project located along the west bank of the Santa Cruz River, between Ajo Way and Irvington Road. This project is administered by Tucson Clean & Beautiful/Trees for Tucson and the Pima County Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation. The park was opened in April 1996 with space for dedication of 600 trees. Tree species include mesquite, palo verde, acacia and desert willow. All trees have now been sold for dedication at the park.
A new commemorative tree park is under construction in 2011. The date of availability and pricing for commemorative trees has not yet been set. If you would like to receive notification and an application form when the next commemorative tree park location becomes available, please call 791-3109, or e-mail tcb@tucsonaz.gov with your name and mailing address to receive a flyer when this new commemorative tree park becomes available.
 Tree Tours:
| Each Spring, Trees for Tucson hosts the annual "Great Trees of the Old Pueblo" tree tour, visiting a number of large and unusual trees in the Tucson area, hosted by informative guides. Tour cost of $45 includes a gourmet lunch at a select restaurant. An additional tree tour is held each summer, visiting unique trees found in the Santa Catalina Mountains along the Mt. Lemmon Highway. Call 791-3109 or e-mail tft@tucsonaz.gov with your name and mailing address to receive notification of upcoming tree tours.
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Tree Care Workshops:
Proper care is important to the survival of newly planted trees. Trees for Tucson provides Tree Care, Planting and Maintenance Workshops as needed for neighborhoods and other community groups. These workshops cover many aspects of tree selection, planting, pruning and irrigation.
Continue to the next page: Tree Descriptions
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