County's Annual Adopt-A-Tree Program Honors Upcoming Bicentennial

Leon County Government is now accepting applications to plant a tree on unincorporated Leon County properties for free through its Adopt-A-Tree Program. The program is open to all Leon County residents who live outside the Tallahassee city limits. With a goal of planting 200 trees in honor of the Tallahassee-Leon County bicentennial in 2024, Leon County is encouraging residents to be a part of this green endeavor.

Applications will be accepted through January 31, 2024, at LeonCountyFL.gov/AdoptATree on a first-come, first-served basis. When applying, residents may select the “delivery only” if they prefer to plant the tree at their own convenience. For those in need of assistance, Leon County staff will be available to aid with tree placement and installation for those who choose the "delivery and plant" option.

Beginning in February 2024, Leon County will commence tree deliveries and planting for county residents. This year, residents can select from three native species:

• Eastern Redbud, a small deciduous that typically grows 20 feet in height with a similar spread and have gracefully ascending branches and a rounded shape.
• Winged Elm, a small- to medium-sized deciduous tree that may grow 40 to 60 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet in diameter.
• Southern Magnolia, a large evergreen tree that typically grows at a moderate rate to a height of 80 feet or more.

The act of planting native trees and other vegetation plays a crucial role in safeguarding our natural ecosystem by providing essential habitat and sustenance for native insects, birds, and other creatures that call our County home. To ensure the successful establishment of these new trees, the County encourages homeowners to water the tree three times a week for one year. The tree can be planted anywhere between a house and any publicly or privately maintained road with public access.

Since 2007, through the Adopt-A-Tree Program, Leon County has planted more than 4,800 trees in nearly 250 neighborhoods, allowing citizens to enhance the beauty and value of their properties and communities. The Adopt-a-Tree Program is one of the County’s many ways to protect our local ecosystem and value our environment and natural beauty as a vital component of our community’s health, economic strength and social offerings.

For residents living within Tallahassee city limits, it is recommended to explore the City of Tallahassee's Adopt-A-Tree program by visiting Talgov.com/AdoptATree.

For more details, contact Dean Richards, Leon County Public Works, at (850) 606-1400 / RichardsD@LeonCountyFL.gov, or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.

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