The San Diego Traveler

If you live in San Diego County, you’re eligible to receive up to five full-sized, 15-gallon nursery-quality trees – for free!

The Cool Communities Shade Tree Program is an initiative of the San Diego Regional Energy Office and People for Trees, who have teamed up to give away up to 14,000 trees to households throughout San Diego County. 

Why Are They Doing This?

It’s simple.  Like daylight saving time, this is an energy-saving measure.  Trees create shade, which cools homes, thus saving energy. 

Trees shading your air conditioner can cool the unit, which allows it to operate 10 to 15 percent more efficiently.  Trees shading your attic can lower its temperature by as much as 40 degrees, and shaded walls are about 15 degrees cooler.  Trees can also shield your home from the wind, reducing winter heating costs. 

What About the Water?

Are you worried about watering expenses?  In many cases, mature trees use minimal water, and by shading the grass under it, can actually save on the need to water the grass as well.

Of course, you should also factor in the fact that trees increase property values by as much as 20 percent, create oxygen, and reduce storm runoff, soil erosion and sedimentation in the streams.

For more information about the value trees can provide to you and your community, you can download the brochure Trees Make Dollars and Sense from Home Depot Foundation. 

How Can You Get Your Trees?

You must submit an application to the Cool Communities Shade Tree Program, but do it as soon as possible.  There is a limited supply of trees, and when they’re gone, the program is done for the year.

Be sure to read through the whole 20-page application carefully, because it provides a great deal of information about the program, the process, and the selection of trees (more than twenty varieties are offered). 

In fact, even if you don’t need any more trees, this is a handy resource for anyone caring for trees or hoping to reduce energy costs.

You Say You’re Not a Gardener?

Before picking out your trees, you should know that there’s more to growing trees than just getting them and sticking them in the ground.  To achieve maximum energy savings, you’ll need to plant the right kinds of trees in the right places. 

For example, did you know you should plant only deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves) on the south side of your home?  That is because you will want them to shade your home in the summer, but lose their leaves in the winter so that the sun can get through to warm your home during those months. 

You also need to know how deep to dig, how much space will be needed, how to deal with power lines, how much to water, and how to care for the trees so that they’ll grow and flourish.

Fortunately, this assistance is also provided free of cost. 

After enough applications for trees are received for your area, you will be contacted and invited to attend a planting class, where you’ll learn everything you need to know about planting and caring for your new and existing trees.

For additional help on learning about the benefits and care of trees, these organizations can also be relied for for their knowledge and assistance:

American Society of Consulting Arborists

The California Oak Foundation

California Urban Forest Council

The National Arbor Day Foundation

Professional Tree Care Association of San Diego County

San Diego People for Trees
(Their website is not currently working.)
(619) 222-8733

Western Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture

Arbor Day

One last note: Arbor Day was celebrated all this week throughout  California, but it’s not too late for you to celebrate.  With National Arbor Day quickly approaching (April 27 this year), this is still a great time of year to learn more about the benefits of trees, or to plant a tree of your own.  Additional inspiration for creating your own Arbor Day celebration can be found through the National Arbor Day Foundation. 

Let’s plant some trees!

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