Get your hands dirty: information and resources for prospective planters
Interested in growing your shade? Learn more
By Carsten Oyer
If you're a Phoenix resident who was persuaded by this project to plant a tree, this page will give you everything you need to know to navigate city grants and determine what and how you will plant.
Best trees to plant in Phoenix:
Kayla Killoren, Phoenix's tree equity project coordinator, said native trees are best to plant in the Valley. Those trees include the palo verde, the desert willow and the mesquite.
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However, Killoren said she wants homeowners to be excited about the tree they choose, as well as to be able and knowledgeable about how to take care of it. That might mean getting a non-native but well-adapted species.
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The city provides 17 options for residents, Killoren said.
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The infographic to the right shows a number of tree species native to the Phoenix region.
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City grants and Resources:​
Learn about and apply for the Community Canopy Grant here. You can check your eligibility for the grant using this map.
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Learn about and apply for the Love Your Block Grant here. You can check your community's eligibility for the grant using this document.
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The Bottom Line:​
For Phoenix residents, planting a tree can provide immense personal and communal benefits. From energy savings to crime reduction and temperature control to trust in government, city officials, nonprofit leaders and neighbors all observe positive impacts.
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Tree equity means providing those advantages to all residents, regardless of the neighborhood they live in. Increasing shade canopy means a more equitable Phoenix.
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