Community Planting Services
See also: Planting Your Tree and Caring For Your Tree

Tree planting is a serious endeavor because it involves changing the urban infrastructure for years to come. A healthy shade tree can live 30 or more years depending on the species. Therefore, planting a tree is a job that needs to be carefully planned and implemented.

Like many major metropolitan areas in the U.S., greater San José has a tree planting nonprofit that helps residents take the bureaucratic and technical hurdles out of planting trees and keeps the fun stuff in.

Our City Forest assists residents, neighborhood groups, City departments, schools, corporations and agencies in having a successful planting experience. Our tree planting services include:

To All Plantings:

• FREE trees for publc properties (download an application).

• Conduct site assessments & project feasibility.

• Obtain clearances & planting permits.

• Select and order appropriate species.

• Conduct tree planting demonstration.

• Provide on-site technical assistance.

• Provide trained tree planting coaches.

• Develop tree maintenance plans.

• Distribute tree care and watering information.

• Administer 3-year tree patrol effort.

• Consult regarding tree removal and preservation.

To Most Plantings*:

• Mark for trees and contact Underground Service Alert

• Deliver trees to site

• Recruit volunteer service clubs and other community volunteers to plant tree(s).

• Provide tools for volunteers.

• Notify Council members of events in their district.


*For more information on the differences between our tree-planting programs, click here.