Trees

LA Sanitation & Environment’s Tree Planting Program is dedicated to planting street trees in neighborhoods within the City of Los Angeles that lack tree cover (low canopy neighborhoods).  Planting trees helps create more sustainable, vibrant communities by providing shade, contributing to cleaner air, and beautifying streets.  To accomplish this work, LASAN seeks grant funding, the majority of which comes from the State of California. LASAN also partners with other City departments and local non-profits to increase the urban canopy throughout the City of Los Angeles. 

Tree planting contributes to LA's diverse ecosystem and biodiversity. Learn more on our Biodiversity page.

FREE STREET TREES

Do you want street trees planted in front of your house or building?  Do you have grass or dirt in the parkway, the space between the sidewalk and the curb? Will you commit to watering the trees until established, approximately 3-5 years? If so, we will come to your building and plant free street trees for you. Click here to download the "How It Works" graphic on the right.

All sites will be surveyed in advance to ensure eligibility. At the time of inspection, the inspector will select a tree species that is appropriate for the space and microclimate.  The City of Los Angeles Tree Spacing Guidelines are followed to ensure that newly planted trees do not conflict with existing trees or nearby infrastructure like street lights, water meters, and power poles.  If space permits, multiple trees will be planted.  Please note that this program does not plant palm trees.


            Request a free street tree button - english          Request a free street tree button - spanish

Trees - how it works

BENEFITS OF PLANTING TREES

TREES:
  • Cool homes/buildings and limit the need for energy-intensive air conditioning
  • Lower street temperatures
  • Improve air quality by removing harmful pollutants like ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
  • Create healthier, more livable communities
  • Encourage walking/bicycling by creating shady streets
  • Capture polluted stormwater
Trees - street in Hancock Park

GRANTS

LASAN has received a number of grants to plant trees across the City of Los Angeles.  The most recent was $1,500,000 awarded to the ShadeLA project from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Urban and Community Forestry Program with funding from the California Climate Investments (CCI) initiative to plant 2,700 trees in disadvantaged communities throughout Los Angeles.  A total of $3,250,000 from California Climate Investments has been awarded to LASAN over the years, all with a common goal: to increase the number of trees in low-canopy neighborhoods within the City. When complete, our three most recent projects will bring over 6,500 trees to the City!

EVENTS

Arbor Day
LASAN produces an annual Arbor Day Celebration in conjunction with City Plants.  The 2019 event was held at the Van Nuys Recreation Center with over 400 people in attendance and almost 200 trees planted in the community.
Click here for information from City Plants about other tree planting events.

Earth Day LA
Come meet our tree team at LASAN’s annual Earth Day LA event on Saturday, April 27 in Woodley Park.  City Plants will be there as well, giving away 125 fruit trees and 125 shade trees in 5-gallon pots.
Trees - Arbor Day 2019 crowd photo

PARTNERS

LASAN has many valuable partners, and we all work together to plant and care for Los Angeles’ urban canopy.  Grant projects would not be possible without the help and support of our partners listed to the right.
Trees - partners

TREE CONCERNS

For other City tree services including tree removal, pruning, stump removal, permits, or sidewalk concerns, please contact the Bureau of Street Services, Urban Forestry Division by calling 1-800-996-2489.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, you can reach LASAN’s tree team at san.trees@lacity.org or 213-485-3954.
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