shade tree program

​To qualify for free shade trees, participants must complete a tree care workshop.  Workshops may be completed online in the comfort of your home or by attending any one of several workshops held throughout Phoenix in the spring and fall months.  A schedule of available community shade tree events may be found on our events page.

Tree care workshops provide important information about selecting, planting and caring for your trees. The curriculum is designed to ensure tree survivability and maximize your energy savings.

​At least 2 days before digging, call the Blue Stake Center at 811to confirm your tree location won’t interfere with any underground utilities. If you need to move a tree location outside our recommended energy-efficiency zone, call Valley Permaculture Alliance, at 602-357-0032.

​If you can’t plant your trees within a few days of their pickup, contact a program workshop organizer to select another more convenient tree pickup time. We don’t replace dead trees.

trees without thorns
tree​	size (h x w)​	growth​	litter​	foilage/flowers​	comments​
thornless palo verde  more details​	25 ft. x 25 ft.​	fast​	low​	yellow flowers in the spring​	​drops very small leaves December - March
thornless mesquite more details​	30 ft. x 30 ft.​	medium​	high - bean pod​	bean pods in summer​	​drops leaves December - April
desert willow more details​	25 ft. x 25 ft.​	fast​	high - flowers most of the year, seed pods​	pink flowers​	​drops leaves late November - March
willow acacia more details​	40 ft. x 40 ft.​	fast​	low​	white puff balls on and off all year​	​evergreen

 

trees with thorns
tree​	size (h x w)​	growth​	litter​	foilage/flowers​	comments​
blue palo verde more details​	30 ft. x 30 ft.​	fast​	low​	yellow flowers in the spring​	​drops very small leaves December - March
native mesquite more details​	30 ft. x 30 ft.​	fast​	high - bean pod	edible bean pod​	​pods can be ground into a nutritious flour

  

1. Select the workshop and time you would like to attend and complete the registration. A registration link is provided with each posted event. To see all open community workshops please visit the Events tab.
2. Attend the community workshop and complete the tree care training.
3. Sign the participation form.
4. Pick up your trees -- if your attend a community tree care event, you will leave the event with your trees.
5. Plant your trees.
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​Participate in our easy, online workshop and qualify for up to 3 free shade trees. The online workshop takes about 40 minutes to complete and includes tree care information and an instructional video. You can even select what type of trees you want and schedule when you want to pick them up. 

You can sign up to be notified when the online workshop is available.

notify me

​The online tree care workshop may take up to 40 minutes to complete. If you experience technical difficulties, please call 855-670-2774 for assistance. 

begin workshop