City canopy tree program returns

The city of Sarasota’s Neighborhood Canopy Program is back, and that means for just $100 residents can partner with the city to have a tree valued at up to $500 planted on their property. 

Beginning July 6, residents can register for professional installation of a mature, 2-inch caliper tree between the front of their home and the street. The program is paid for by the city’s Tree Mitigation Fund, which collects a portion of tree removal permit dollars to be used for urban canopy programs.

Participants can choose from 10 species. They include:

• Green buttonwood.
• Gumbo-limbo.
• Live oak.
• D.D. Blanchard magnolia.
• Redbay.
• Royal poinciana.
• Shady lady black olive.
• Southern red cedar.
• Sycamore.
• Winged elm.

Registration for the program ends Aug. 17. Planting is scheduled to occur between Aug. 31 and Sept. 21. 

Planting trees does more than just beautify neighborhoods. Additional benefits include mitigating the urban heat island effect, saving energy, cleaning the air, filtering storm runoff and providing wildlife habitat, according to a city-issued press release. 

The registration link is available beginning July 6 at sarasotafl.gov. Search for Neighborhood Canopy Program. Questions about the program may be sent to [email protected].