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City Plants

Free Tree Programs

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What is the City Plants Program

Continuing its extensive tree planting involvement since 1998, LADWP recently signed an agreement with the Los Angeles City Plants program to fund 40,000 additional trees to be planted throughout the City of Los Angeles over the next two years. City Plants addresses the low tree canopy cover in the City, which averages 21%, well below the national average of 27%. Trees provide energy savings through shading buildings and decreasing ambient temperatures while also removing pollutants from the air, absorbing polluted runoff, providing aesthetic benefits, and more. LADWP’s Efficiency Solutions unit will oversee the distribution of trees to maximize energy savings benefits in our communities.

The tree program determines energy savings and carbon sequestration attained by trees planted near homes using several variables such as climate zone, tree species and age, location with respect to the home, age of home, and type of cooling system in the home. Recent calculations show over 4.3 million kWh of direct energy savings are achieved annually through shading by trees that the LADWP provided to residents, businesses, and other city department tree planting programs. Trees planted under the new agreement will provide greenhouse gas reductions equivalent to taking 8,000 cars off the road.

Benefits

Trees can also provide benefits in the drought. City Plants offers predominantly lower water use shade trees with care recommendations to minimize the amount of water the tree will need to consume to thrive. Trees can also capture stormwater for recharging our aquifers and reduce overall evaporation through creating cooler environments. Planting trees can be a perfect complement to well-incentivized turf removal projects, adding diversity to California-friendly landscapes while ensuring low long-term water use.

How to apply

City of Los Angeles residents can each request up to seven (7) free shade trees to be delivered to their doors. Businesses can request shade trees too and may be eligible to receive even larger quantities. 

Additionally, City Plants holds tree giveaway events around the City where residents can learn about and pick up a free fruit or shade tree. And, if you agree to water parkway trees in front of your home or business, City Plants will do the planting work (and obtain the permits) for you at no charge.

Customers may visit City Plants online or contact the team by phone.

Phone

Los Angeles residents or businesses who would like to receive FREE trees can obtain more information on the City Plants website at www.cityplants.org or by calling (213) 473-9950.

This program shall at all times be subject to change or termination without notice.

Disclaimer

By applying for an LADWP rebate and/or program, personal information provided may be subject to public disclosure by requesting parties, pursuant to the California Public Records Act.