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Have you ever enjoyed standing in the cool shade of a giant cottonwood on a hot summer day? Or admired the colorful splendor of a maple or oak when fall comes around? Trees can soften and add great beauty to urban environments.

But urban forests do much more than provide us with shade and beauty. Research has show that trees can lower home heating and cooling costs, remove air pollutants, increase property values, provide habitat for wildlife, absorb noise, capture storm water runoff, help decrease crime rates, and even reduce stress and speed healing in hospital patients. (Read more about the benefits of trees.)

But in most cities, urban forests are not spread equally across all areas. Low income neighborhoods typically have less canopy cover, or fewer trees, than high income areas, and Madison is no exception. As part of our efforts to strengthen the Madison area urban forest we started the Madison Canopy Project.

What We’re Doing To Increase Access to Trees

Through this initiative we are offering one or two free trees to residents in eighteen neighborhoods across Madison and Fitchburg. All we ask is that you have enough space on their property for a new tree to spread out and fully develop. Residents who accept a free tree (or two!) can plant it themselves, have a group of volunteers led by UTA staff plant the tree for them, or even volunteer to join us in planting trees in their neighborhood.

“I am a strong supporter of the Urban Tree Alliance’s efforts in Fitchburg,” said former Fitchburg Mayor, Shawn Pfaff. “This exciting opportunity to improve our city’s tree canopy benefits many of our neighborhoods and improves residents’ quality of life throughout our community.”