We offer a limited number of FREE trees each year to community members for planting on private property through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Canopy Program. Since 2017, we've given out 4,000 trees to over 2,200 community members in 15 municipalities. This program has been made possible by our partners. Funding for 2023 and 2024 will be provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic will be prioritized as Community Canopy partners.
How It Works
Community Canopy uses a research-based, easy-to-use online mapping tool that takes the guesswork out of tree planting site selection. By entering simple information about a home and yard, the tool calculates where to strategically plant trees for the greatest cooling, energy, and money saving benefits.
Spring Events
Eligibility
Residents of Bellows Falls, Bennington, Rockingham, Rutland, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury.
Pick-up Events
Trees must be reserved online (link below) and picked up at these events.
- Thursday, May 16, 3-5:30pm: Bellows Falls Middle School
- Friday, May 17, 4-6pm: Bennington, Mount Anthony Union High School
- Friday, May 24, 3:30-5:30pm: St. Johnsbury School
- Thursday, May 30, 3:30-5:30pm: Rutland, Vermont Farmers Food Center
- Saturday, June 1, 10am-12pm: St. Albans City School
Trees
Six species are available. Trees are in containers and will be 4-6 feet tall. No truck is required.
- American Hornbeam (Ironwood)
- Red Maple
- River Birch
- Serviceberry
- Swamp White Oak
- Winterberry
Tree Availability update (5/15)
- Bellows Falls: 1 swamp white oak is left!
- Bennington: sold out!
- Rutland: less than 30 trees left, including: hophornbeam, river birch, and swamp white oak
- St. Albans: sold out!
- St. Johnsbury: sold out!
Registration
Register for up to two free trees.
Trouble with registration? Call Gwen at 802-656-7638 or gwen.kozlowski@uvm.edu.
Registration is available on a mobile device, but will work better on a desktop.
Tree Benefits
When planted properly, a single mature tree can save a homeowner up to 20% on energy costs. For homes without air conditioning, shade trees can make the home feel cooler during summer heat. Planting trees can also:
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Reduce a homeowner’s carbon footprint
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Improve air quality
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Reduce stormwater runoff
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Provide food and shelter for wildlife
- Add to a home’s property value
About The Program: Planting For Impact
Using research from the Vermont Department of Health, we selected partner communities in Vermont that are most vulnerable to heat-related illness. These areas have high densities of exposed asphalt and rooftops but limited tree cover. As a result, residents in these areas can spend more money to cool their homes, and those without air conditioning can be at greater risk for heat illnesses.
See the cumulative impact report below from 2017- fall 2023.
Past partner communities include: Bradford, Brattleboro, Bennington, Barre, Burlington, Lyndon, Newport City, St. Albans, Rutland, Windsor.
Partners
This program is made possible by the Arbor Day Foundation, the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program, and the Vermont Department of Health’s Climate & Health Program.
Join Us
Let’s work together to harness the power of trees to conserve energy, cool communities, and save money.
For more information on this program, contact Gwen at gwen.kozlowski@uvm.edu or 802-656-7638.