City of Tempe, AZ
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Tempe's Urban Forest
Trees play a pivotal role in the health of the environment and community. They help reduce pollution, sequester carbon, and slow down storm runoff which reduces soil erosion. They also provide much-needed shade during those hot summer days. Well-maintained trees and landscapes can increase property values, and the health benefits can improve air quality, reduce stress, and enhance community pride. Providing wildlife habitat in our urban areas is beneficial toward maintaining a sustainable ecosystem.
That's why Tempe remains so committed to urban forestry and increasing the city's tree canopy. Read our Urban Forest Master Plan, check out helpful resources, and read more about tree incentives below!
April is Arbor Month in Tempe!
Read this year's proclamation from Mayor Corey Woods. Tempe has proclaimed April as Arbor Month, and it is an ideal time to plant a tree. Tempe can help with educational and financial resources. Planting a tree helps increase Tempe’s tree coverage, which helps Tempe achieve Performance Measure 4.11 and also maintain its designations: Tree City USA (28 years) and Tree Cities of the World (five years).
Check out Tempe’s available tree resources that can help ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place.
Tempe's tree incentives:
- Single-Family Residential Desert Plant "TreeBate" (up to $75)
- Non-Residential TreeBate (up to $500)
- Homeowner's Association Neighborhood Grants (up to $20,000)
- Cost Match Tree Program (50% of cost)
- Living Tree donation program
Educational videos on selecting and planting trees:
- Landscape Trees for the Arizona Desert: Learn how to select the right tree for your unique landscape. Discover trees that thrive in Arizona's climate and soil.
- Common Mistakes When Planting Trees: Proper planting is essential to the long-term health of trees. A mistake that seems small now may kill a tree prematurely. Learn common mistakes during tree planting and how to avoid them.
- Right Tree, Right Place: Learn about landscape trees that enhance the Arizona desert landscape. Explore best practices in selecting and planting new trees.
- Tree Care: Take this self-paced, interactive tutorial to learn how to properly plant and care for trees. Tempe residents who take the class and complete the form will also qualify to apply for the TreeBate.
- Tree Pruning Basics: Learn the valid reasons and proper methods of tree pruning in an urban landscape. The recording features a live pruning demonstration and previously recorded question and answer session with Richard Adkins, Tempe's Urban Forester.