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 5,000 trees to over 2,700 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.

Tree Pick Up Event in Windsor

Spring 2025 Events

Stay tuned!

  • 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

Community Canopy Cumulative Report Graphic

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- spring 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 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.