Tree Programs and Initiatives
Tree Care and Maintenance Grant Program
This program has been established to assist City of Santa Cruz property owners with the care and maintenance of at-risk Heritage Trees on their property or Street Trees for which the property owner is responsible. The City will make matching grants up to 50% of the project cost in amounts from $250 up to $5,000 for approved projects. Tree Grant Application(PDF, 53KB)
New IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) Urban Forestry Grant
Awarded in 2024, the Urban Forestry program is implementing a $1,000,000 grant through the U.S. Sustainability Director's Network to build program capacity and expand tree canopy in disadvantaged areas of the city by planting at least 300 trees in public spaces with a focus on proper tree selection, good site preparation and establishment care. Additionally, all street trees will be inventoried in the map area. Early achievements made possible through the grant include a new Street Tree List(PDF, 123KB) and updated Standard Detail planting guidance(PDF, 331KB) for street tree planting projects. View a project area map(PDF, 2MB).
Free Street Trees for Sidewalks in Front of Houses!
Free street trees in 15-gallon size are available to homeowners for planting in the public right of way adjacent to their homes. View the program details(PDF, 149KB), and species selection must be made from the approved Street Tree List(PDF, 155KB). If you are interested in obtaining a free Street Tree, download, complete and submit a Tree Permit Application(PDF, 228KB) indicating it is a Street Tree Planting application in the upper right hand corner of the form. Planting must follow guidance detail for tree planting in Street Right-of-Way(PDF, 331KB) or Sidewalk Tree Well(PDF, 356KB). Street trees are ordered periodically and not on-hand or in-stock.
Annual Downtown Significant Tree Walk
Join Certified Arborist and Urban Forester Leslie Keedy as she hosts a free walking tour showcasing significant trees in our community during July Is Parks and Recreation Month.
The roughly 2-3 hour long walk features approximately 30 trees in the downtown and surrounding area. This years tour is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2025, and requires registration. Check a tour map(PDF, 10MB) and accompanying brochure.
Annual Cabrillo College Arbor Day Collaboration
Each year the City's Urban Forestry Program celebrates Arbor Day by enlisting the help of Cabrillo College Horticulture students to plant new trees within the City of Santa Cruz! If you are interested in coordinating an Arbor Day tree planting event in your neighborhood or organizing a volunteer group to plant trees on City property, contact Urban Forester Leslie Keedy at (831) 420-5246 or lkeedy@santacruzca.gov.
Technical Tree Advice
The City's Urban Forester provides technical tree advice to members of the community on a limited basis by phone (831-420-5246) or email (lkeedy@santacruzca.gov). The City does not provide free tree consultations. Private consultation can be obtained by contacting an ISA Certified Arborist(PDF, 73KB).