Branch Out with the City’s Adopt A Tree Program

November 01, 2023

The City of Tallahassee is once again offering free trees to eligible homeowners within the city limits. The Adopt A Tree program provides and helps plant native and naturalized trees to increase the community's urban forest canopy. To apply for the program, visit Talgov.com.

Homeowners may request up to two trees be planted in the front yard within 100 feet of the centerline of the roadway (within the city limits) and must agree to keep each tree watered for one year. City staff will assist the homeowner with tree placement and take care of the installation.

The trees, depending on the species, are between 5 and 8 feet in height and are species native (or cultivars of native species) to the southeast. Trees available this year include:

• River Birch: River birch, a deciduous tree, grows to 80-100 feet at maturity and is typically a multi-stem tree, meaning it has multiple slender trunks. The bark can vary in color and has loose layers of curling, paper thin scales, mainly when young. During autumn, the leaves turn yellow, and during late spring, it has tiny, winged seeds. The flowers of the River birch are called catkins. The River birch is typically found along streams and poorly drained soils but is also used in landscapes as erosion control. While it is tolerant of acidic soils and excessive water, the seeds will not germinate without a large amount of direct sunlight. The River birch is a favorite of many types of birds that use the seeds a food source, and deer have been known to graze on saplings.
• Sweetbay Magnolia: The Sweetbay Magnolia is a multi-stem evergreen tree in the local area and has a mature height range of 20-35 feet. The creamy white flowers have a vanilla-type scent that can be noticed several hundred yards away. The bark is smooth and gray and has a scent reminiscent of the bay laurel spice, which is how it got its name. The Sweetbay is an attractive ornamental tree found in gardens and parks that is grown for its large, conspicuously scented flowers and fast growth (13-24 inches per year). It is tolerant of wet, boggy sites and low areas in a landscape. It needs on average at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Eastern Red Cedar: The Eastern Red Cedar is an evergreen tree that can reach up to 65 feet on average. While slow growing, it is long-lived – the oldest one reported was 940 years old! The seeds are a dark purple-blue and is an important winter food source for birds. The bark is reddish brown and shreds easily, peeling off in thin, narrow strips. The Eastern Red Cedar tends to outcompete grasses, creating bare spots, due to its dense low branches and wide base. The needles that fall can raise the pH of the soil, which makes it harder for other plants to absorb nutrients. It is tolerant of both drought and cold, while growing well in rocky, sandy and clay soils, with little competition. It benefits from increased carbon dioxide levels. This tree is a great buffer tree and wind break, as it thrives in adverse conditions.

Tree planting will begin mid-December. Trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Adopt A Tree, which plants around 300 trees each year, is one of the programs that helps ensure the health of Tallahassee's tree canopy. At 55 percent, the City boasts one of the highest percentages of tree coverage in the nation.

To adopt a tree from the City, simply visit Talgov.com and complete the online application. Questions can be emailed to adoptatree@talgov.com or answered by calling 850-891-5450.