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Tree Grant Programs

The Community Canopy Grant Program is a City of Phoenix initiative designed to help low-tree canopy neighborhoods increase shade and improve long term heat resilience through tree planting. The program provides trees, planting services, technical assistance, and support for both individual recipients and community led tree planting projects in priority areas.  

The most recent support for this program was funded as part of the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation’s (OHRM) $10 million grant through the Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) program, distributed by the U.S. Forest Service. After OHRM received enough applications to meet the goal of planting 6,000 trees citywide, the application was closed. OHRM is not accepting new applications.  

The planting of trees for individual grant recipients will be ongoing until 2028. Similarly, neighborhoods that were awarded tree grants may still be conducting outreach, inviting residents to participate, and having trees planted within their community. If you were contacted by your neighborhood about signing up, the Community Canopy tree program is an active City supported project, and residents in funded areas are encouraged to get involved. If you have any questions about the validly of your neighborhood offer, please contact Liesl. 

If your neighborhood did not receive a Community Canopy Tree Grant, you can still participate in other tree-planting opportunities offered by partner organizations and City programs:  

City of Phoenix Programs 
Utility Programs
Arizona State University School Tree Planting Program
Non-profit Programs
If you want to purchase your own tree we recommend buying trees from local retail vendors, a few are listed here:  

Our recommended list of trees can be found in the "Approved Tree Species List" below.

We are actively working to identify additional funding sources to continue improving tree equity in Phoenix. Updates on future funding opportunities or related tree planting programs will be posted here when available. 

For questions or more information, please contact Liesl Pimentel at liesl.pimentel@phoenix.gov

arborist adding soil to planted tere.

Eligibility Requirements:

The tree planting program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Forest Service. Because this funding comes from federal sources, we are required to follow specific guidelines on where trees can be planted. Please check your eligibility here before applying.

Approved Tree Species List:

Frequently Asked Questions:

No. We will have arborists and trained landscape professionals planting the trees for you.

No. The contractors will ensure that all underground utilities are marked prior to planting.

No. Applicants must live in the City of Phoenix boundaries and must live within an eligible area. See map here to ensure your area qualifies.

Trees will be planted between October and April. No trees will be planted during the summer months due to the heat.

No. There are no costs associated with this program. Our office has contracting companies and tree nurseries on contract so we will do all of the ordering. The applicant is not responsible to pay any money associated with the grant.

***It should be mentioned that once trees are planted, the watering and maintenance will be the responsibility of the property owner, unless you are in an area with a dedicated Tree Steward, and there are costs associated with maintenance activities.

You will also receive a maintenance bag of supplies to assist you in caring for your new tree(s).

Typically, we are planting either 15-or 25-gallon trees depending on nursery stock availability. The height of the tree depends on the species.

Applicants will be able to choose one or two trees from a list of 17 trees. Half native and half non-native, but drought tolerant and desert adapted.

Native trees are preferred and should be strongly considered as summer temperatures continue to increase and our monsoons decrease.

Please see here for a list of available trees to choose from.

Fruit trees are not available.

If you applied before 11:59 for the next deadline then your application will be included in that round, but if you apply after a date, your application will be included in the next round.

You will be notified of your application if you have been approved or if you have not been approved.

  • Trees must be planted within property lines, not in the right of way.
  • Trees must be planted within the front yard
  • Please choose trees best suited for the area
  • Tall trees cannot be planted underneath powerlines
  • Make sure to space trees apart so they have enough room to grow.
  • If you marked the location, you wanted your tree and there are underground utilities there, you will need to choose a new area for the tree (Trees should be planted 10 feet away from underground utilities.)

Yes, but we will need written permission from the property owner.