news & updates
news & updates
Cooler temperatures mean tree-planting season is here, and the City of Mesa invites residents to help grow the city's urban forest through free trees, community planting events and educational opportunities.
Throughout the 2026-27 planting season, Mesa will partner with community organizations and volunteers to plant trees across the city. Through the Trees Are Cool Initiative, Mesa is also helping residents and businesses plant, care for, and record shade trees they plant as part of the City's effort to expand tree canopy and create cooler, more comfortable neighborhoods.
"Trees provide shade, help cool our neighborhoods and contribute to a healthier, more resilient community," said Scott Bouchie, Director of the Environmental and Sustainability Department. "By making tree planting more accessible, we're giving residents and businesses more opportunities to add shade where people live, work and spend time outdoors."
The ideal time to plant native and desert-adapted trees is October through March. Mesa residents can get involved through these upcoming events:
•Oct. 24 and Nov. 7 - Mesa Neighborhood Shade Tree Workshop and Tree Distribution. Open to all Mesa residents. After completing the workshop, attendees will take home two free trees.
Oct. 24 - Pioneer Park, 526 E Main St.
Nov. 7 - Red Mountain Park, 7745 E Brown Road
•Nov. 21, 10 a.m. - Rainwater Harvesting 101. Dobson Library, THINKspot, 2425 S. Dobson Road. Learn how to collect and use rainwater as a free water source for trees and landscape plants.
•Dec. 5, 7:30 a.m. - Mesa Tree Steward Community Tree Planting. Chelsea Park, 145 S 40th St. Volunteers are invited to help plant approximately 50 trees in the park and the surrounding neighborhood. Partners include Arizona Sustainability Alliance, American Forests, and Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. Visit the Trees Are Cool page for volunteer information.
Residents can also help expand Mesa's tree canopy by:
•Planting low-water-use trees at your home or business and record them on Mesa's tree map.
•Learning to properly care for your existing trees to keep them healthy and thriving.
If you rent, talking to your property manager about the benefits of trees and encourage tree planting and proper care.
Whether you plant one tree at home or help plant 50 in a neighborhood, every tree adds to Mesa's growing urban forest.
For more information on Mesa's tree programs and resources, visit the All About Trees page and explore Mesa's Tree Benefits Dashboard to see the variety of trees growing across our city.