NYC Programs Make Planting a Tree Easy and Inexpensive 

In this 3-part series, Greening Your Home, you’ll learn ways to make your home more energy-efficient while also saving you money in the long run. Caring about the environment and being “green” can be easier than you think as a homeowner. You can start today! 

Here’s the final article and it’s all about how to plant trees in your yard (or common yard if you’re in a condo/co-op) for much less money. 

Did you know that by adding a tree to your yard, you can increase your property value and save on energy costs? 

But maybe the cost or your lack of a green thumb is holding you off. 

No worries since there are some great programs in the NYC area that can help! 

Why Trees Help Your Home 

• Trees boost curb appeal. The presence of larger trees in yards and as street trees can add 3 to 15 percent to home values throughout neighborhoods. 

• Trees can shade buildings, windows and air-conditioning units. Homes with well-situated trees can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and save 20 to 50 percent in heating costs. 

• Trees can help with water drainage. 

NYC Tree Planting Programs for Homeowners

New York Restoration Project (NYRP) makes it easy (and much less costly) for NYC homeowners to plant trees. Their mission is to help make NYC greener and healthier — and homeowners can benefit from their free tree giveaway events.

NYRP hosts seasonal Tree Giveaways where NYC residents can pick up a free tree and bring it home to plant themselves. Supplies are limited and events typically require registration, so it’s best to sign up early when dates are released.

There’s no better way to make a “green” upgrade at home than getting a tree at little to no cost — especially when it can also beautify your property long-term.

NYRP Tree Giveaways

Love a do-it-yourself project? Then NYRP’s Tree Giveaways are for you! If you sign up for a giveaway event and pick up a tree, you can plant it at home and enjoy all the benefits without paying nursery prices.

If you’re a novice tree planter or just want to refresh your tree know-how, NYRP provides guidance on tree care and planting so you can feel confident getting started.

NYC Parks Street Tree Planting Program

This can help you if you want a bit more guidance or are not interested in planting a tree yourself. NYC Parks supports street tree planting across the city, which can be a great option if you don’t have a yard but would love a tree planted along the sidewalk in front of your property.

Depending on the neighborhood and eligibility, you may be able to request a tree or learn more about the process through NYC Parks.

Other NYC & Long Island Tree Programs

Here’s a great program offered on Long Island through the Town of North Hempstead that provides free native tree seedlings for residents. It’s a great opportunity to plant something that will thrive locally and support the environment long-term.

New York State also offers a Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale through the NYS DEC, which can be a very affordable way to purchase multiple seedlings at once if you’re looking to plant more than one tree. The cost is typically much lower than buying mature trees from a garden center.

Keep a look out for any local community tree programs that might offer reduced-priced trees native to your area. Sometimes these events can be held once a year and include help with planting and how-to’s on tree care.

Many groups are concerned with the tree canopy in certain neighborhoods and want to help homeowners plant trees.

Happy planting!