Community Tree Planting

Welcome to The Greening of Detroit's Community Tree Planting Application! A community tree planting is a unique opportunity to work with neighbors and friends to improve the health and wellness of your community, increase Detroit's urban forest, and leave a legacy for the next generation. Please complete and submit this application to request a community-based planting with The Greening of Detroit.  Several months may pass before your application gets approved.  The full project process can take 12-18 months to complete. Please be patient.

If you have any questions, email: Christina@greeningofdetroit.com

Here is what you can expect when partnering with us:

 

The Community planting partner will:

  • Identify tree planting needs in their community

  • Collaborate in all of the planning phases

  • Serve as a liaison for tree questions and drive community engagement efforts

  • Confirm a minimum of 5 neighbors who want these trees in the neighborhood and will provide care

  • Commit to and help plan the community planting day

  • Help recruit volunteers on planting day

    • We recommend 3 volunteers per tree

 

The Greening of Detroit Will:

  • Facilitate the planning phases with your organization

  • Support your community outreach efforts

  • Provide professional assistance, tools, and planting supplies and ensure the site has sufficient volunteers needed for the community planting day

  • Provide instructions on how to maintain your new trees

 

Eligibility

  • Applicants can represent any community group, block club, school, faith-based & non-profit organization, community development corporation, or business association.

  • Applicant groups and proposed sites must be located in city limits of Detroit, Highland Park or Hamtramck.

  • Community plantings typically take place on public property, property owned by a school, faith-based or non-profit organization, or private but shared property such as a community garden. Private residential property may be considered.

  • Applications will meet The Greening of Detroit’s evaluation standards outlined below:

Evaluation Checklist

Below are the standards used by The Greening of Detroit to evaluate community planting applications. Prior to submitting your application, please review this checklist with your community group.

  • Location—For the proposed planting site:

    • Ownership of site is determined

    • It is near a convenient water source

  • Leadership & Organizational Capacity - Your community group will:

    • Designate a project leader

    • Collaborate with nearby neighborhood groups, organizations and associations

    • Garner support for plantings among individual residents in your neighborhood

    • Coordinate one community forest workshop, or similar event to learn more about tree benefits

  • Maintenance—Your community group will:

    • Water, weed and mulch for at least three years

    • Protect trees from lawn mowers and weed whips

    • Contact The Greening of Detroit for signs of insect damage or disease

  • Resource Contribution—Your community group will:

    • Help to recruit volunteer support on planting day (Suggested: 3 volunteers per tree)

    • Offer to share the costs for trees, refreshments, etc.

Click below to submit an application