Good tree coverage around your home can come with less heat, cleaner air, and better stormwater control. Trees for Oakland, a volunteer-based group under the non-profit Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation that focuses on planting trees across the city, is working to expand that coverage by inviting Oakland residents to apply for a tree to be planted on a property of their choice.
In order to apply for a tree, residents have to fill in a “tree request form.” On the form, you can list your contact information, address, a description of your property, and your relationship to the property—whether you are an owner, a renter, or a neighbor.
You can also indicate whether or not you’d be open to covering the cost of the tree. While the installation of the tree is technically free, those able to cover some of the costs of installing the tree will receive priority. Costs can range from $100 to $200 and can be assessed on a sliding scale basis.
According to the application form, “If you are unable to pay, you can still submit a request, but will only get a tree planted when enough donations have been collected to cover your costs.”
Once the form is submitted, volunteers will reach out to organize a “site visit” to see where a tree can be planted and what type of tree would work best. There is also an existing list of city-approved tree species that residents can browse.
Once a site visit has been completed, you can then fill out a tree planting permit application with the city of Oakland.
After everything is approved, Trees for Oakland will schedule a time for volunteers to come plant your tree. Planting takes place between November and May. After a tree is planted, it must be watered weekly for three consecutive years.
Applications and information can be found on the Trees for Oakland website here.
