Community Canopy Program

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 2,835 trees to over 1,600 community members in 10 municipalities. This program is made possible by our 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.

  • Tree Pick Up Event in Burlington
    Tree Pick Up Event in Burlington
  • Tree Pick Up Event in Montpelier
    Tree Pick Up Event in Montpelier
  • Community Canopy Trees
    Community Canopy Trees
  • Brattleboro Tree Committee Volunteers
    Brattleboro Tree Committee Volunteers
  • Community Canopy Trees
    Community Canopy Trees

2023 Tree Giveaway Program

Eligibility

Partner communities will be selected in early 2023. Pick up events will be hosted in June and September 2023.

Tree Species

Community members in the partner communities will be eligible to sign up for up to two trees. Five species are available, to be determined.

Tree Pick Up Event in Windsor

Registration

Registration will be available in Spring 2023.

Having trouble with registration? Call Gwen at 802-651-8343, ext 506 or email at gwen.kozlowski@uvm.edu.

Tree Benefits

Planted tree in Essex

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:

  • Reduce a homeowner’s carbon footprint

  • Improve air quality

  • Reduce stormwater runoff

  • 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 2017-2022.

Past partner communities include: Bradford, Brattleboro, Bennington, Barre, Burlington, Lyndon, Newport City, St. Albans, Rutland, Windsor.

Community Canopy Infographic

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.