Did you know that the city of Los Angeles has a Tree Adoption Program that enables residents to receive free trees? The program is designed to have trees planted in the parkway, the space between the curb and the sidewalk. The city will come out to survey the location, and if the area falls within the city’s guidelines, you could be eligible for the planting of one or more trees.

This was all made possible by a grant the City of Los Angeles received that established their Tree Adoption Program. This is an amazing program that EVERY RESIDENT in the City of Los Angeles should be inquiring about. Here is more information about the program.

City of Los Angeles Neighborhood Tree Adoption Program

You can sign up for a free tree from the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation. The city has received a grant to plant trees in front of your home or business. As a matter of fact, you can apply for up to seven trees per residence. You can find out more online at www.MillionTreesLA.org or call 213 473-9950.

Through this program, the Mar Vista Farmers Market was able to plant 19 trees!

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon at the Mar Vista Farmers Market the first Sunday of 2014. With temperatures in the mid-to-high 70’s and the market flush with families and shoppers, the sound of the music from the market’s DJ filled the air. At noon the ceremony began. The Mar Vista Farmers Market was being honored for their efforts in bringing 19 newly planted trees to the intersection of Grand View and Pacific, the site of their Sunday market.

City Councilman Mike Bonin set up office at the market on Sunday, meeting local constituents, and at noon the ceremony began. Councilman Bonin presented our Farmers Market Board President, Andrew Basmajian, with an commendation for the work he had done in organizing the effort to have the 19 beautiful new trees planted.

Here are a few more details and additional websites you can checkout for more information. You can find the online permission form at www.EnvironmentLA.org.

A list of appropriate trees can be found at HERE. There are a number of different types of trees that are part of the program, and requests for specific species will be noted. However, the type of tree the city will plant cannot be guaranteed. A certified arborist will come out to view the site and determine the type most appropriate for your property. All you have to do is make sure the trees are watered.

There are so many extraordinary reasons why this tree planting program is going to be huge, but for the city it is difficult to mention them all. Here are some of the reasons.

• The shade that trees provide help reduce temperatures and the use of A/C.
• Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, filter air pollutants, dust and particulates.
• Trees absorb rainfall and prevent flooding.
• Trees beautify our neighborhoods and increase property values.
• Hey, who doesn’t like trees!

You can contact Amy Schulenberg at [email protected] for more information about the program or give her a call at 213-485-0527.