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 over 5,500 trees to over 2,700 community members in 15 municipalities. This program has been made possible by our partners. Funding for 2023, 2024, and 2025 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.

Eligibility

Residents of Castleton/Bomoseen, Montgomery and St. Albans are eligible for 1 or 2 free trees to plant in their yard. Trees must be reserved online or by phone and picked up at the local event listed below.

Tree Species

Five species are available. Limited quantities of each; first come, first serve basis. Trees are grown in 2 gallon containers and will be 3-6 feet tall. 

  • Northern White Cedar
  • Red Bud
  • River Birch
  • Serviceberry
  • Swamp White Oak

Pick Up Events

Castleton: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 3:30-6pm at Castleton Elementary School (263 Elementary School Road, Bomoseen)

Montgomery: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 10am-12pm at Public Safety Building (86 Mountain Rd, Montgomery Center)

St. Albans: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 10am-12pm at St. Albans City School (29 Bellows Street, St. Albans)

Availability

5/19 Update

St. Albans: 5 river birch and 4 swamp white oak left to be reserved.

Tree Pick Up Event in Windsor

Registration

Register for your trees at the link below!

Register here

 

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

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

Infographic community canopy

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- 2024.

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

Partners

This program is made possible through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation.

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.