Revitalize the Local Ecosystem with Leon County’s Adopt-a-Tree Program

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.

Applications will be accepted through January 31, 2023, at LeonCountyFL.gov/AdoptATree on a first-come, first-served basis. When applying, residents may select the “delivery only” option if they wish to plant the tree at their own convenience. For residents who need assistance, Leon County staff will assist with tree placement and installation if they select the "delivery and plant" option.

Leon County will deliver or plant trees for County residents starting in February 2023. This year, residents may choose between the following three native species:

• Dahoon Holly, which is a small, low-maintenance broadleaf evergreen tree.
• Black Tupelo, or Blackgum, which is a is a medium- to large-sized deciduous tree with a slow growth rate, gaining only around 1 to 2 feet per year.
• White Oak, which is a large tree that commonly attains a height of 60 to 100 feet with a spread of 50 to 90 feet.

Planting native trees and other plants is a key part of protecting our natural ecosystem by providing habitat and food for native insects, birds, and other animals that call our County home. To ensure the successful rooting of the new tree, the County requests homeowners water the tree three times a week for one year. The tree may be planted anywhere between a house and any publicly maintained road or any privately maintained road with public access.

Since 2007, through the Adopt-a-Tree Program, Leon County has planted more than 4,100 trees in nearly 250 neighborhoods, allowing citizens to add beauty and value to their property and community. The Adopt-a-Tree Program is one of the County’s many ways to protect our local ecosystem and builds on the success of planting 15,000 trees countywide between 2017 and 2021.

Individuals living within the Tallahassee city limits are encouraged to take advantage of 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.

###