Restoring Pensacola’s Canopy Together
Join our mission to enhance Pensacola’s green spaces through planting native trees. Together, we can create a healthier, more beautiful environment for current and future generations.
Community Impact
We provide the public benefit of shading sidewalks and roads, while the ecological benefits of passive cooling, stormwater mitigation.
Cost Savings
We save the city thousands of dollars in planting and upkeep cost while enhancing the beauty and health of our neighborhoods.
Native Trees
Promote biodiversity by planting native species that thrive in local environments.
Our Mission
Empowering Pensacola to Create a Cooler, Greener Future
The Canopy Restoration Project unites volunteers and local organizations to plant native trees, beautifying our community and improving the environment for everyone. Discover how you can join our efforts.
Restoring Pensacola’s Urban Forest
Native Tree Catalog
Browse our catalog of native trees you can have planted in your yard. Once you’re ready, complete a tree application to request the trees for your yard.
Planting Guidelines
● At least 30’ from power lines
● At least 15’ from house
● At least 20’ between maples
● At least 5’ from road, 5’ from sidewalk
Description: This is a fast-growing tree, providing quick shade and a beautiful Fall color. Deciduous: will lose leaves in Fall.
Mature height: 40’ Mature width: 25′
Prefers full sun, and a lot of water.
Planting Guidelines
● Under power lines is fine
● At least 10’ from house
● At least 10’ between trees
● At least 5 feet from sidewalk and 5’ from road
Description: This is a small tree we make available for small yards with powerlines. Beautiful blooms early-mid Fall.
Mature height: 25’
Mature width: 10-15’
Prefers full sun to partial shade
Planting Guidelines
● Beneath and near power lines is fine
● At least 7’ from road, and at least 7’ from sidewalk
Description: Fast-growing deciduous tree good for urban environment. It may need to be staked during the first couple of years if wind storms occur as it takes awhile for roots to establish.
Mature Height: 40-60’
Width: 30’-40’
Planting Guidelines
● At least 50’ from power lines
● At least 20’ from house
● At least 7’ from sidewalk, and at least 7’ from road
Description: “Once established, live oak will thrive in almost any location and has very good wind resistance. Southern live oak is a tough, enduring tree that will respond with vigorous growth to plentiful moisture on well-drained soil.” Has leaves year round.
Mature Height: 40’-80’
Mature Width: 60’-100’
Planting Guidelines
● At least 30’ from power lines
● At least 20’ from house
● At least 7’ from sidewalk, and at least 7’ from road
Description: Highly wind and drought resistant. This oak is slower growing than the live oak, but better suited for smaller yards as it’s smaller than a regular live oak. Has leaves year round.
Mature height: 50’
Mature width: 50-80′
Help Transform Our Community with Trees
Get involved with the Canopy Restoration Project and make a difference. Your participation helps enhance our green spaces, promotes environmental health, and brings beauty and shade to our neighborhoods. Together, we can create a greener Pensacola.
Highlights of Our Tree Planting Projects
Discover the impact of our volunteer efforts in local neighborhoods, celebrating the beauty of native trees while improving ecological health and enhancing community spaces in Pensacola.
Community Impact
What Our Community Says
Hear from those who have experienced our impact firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about canopy restoration.
Who qualifies for this project?
Any resident of the City of Pensacola can receive a tree. Each year we focus on new areas. For example, we targeted Eau Claire, Camelot and Scenic Heights in our outreach because they were underrepresented in our last project.
Where can I put a tree?
The money is provided by a City grant, so in order to do good for the whole neighborhood the tree must be within your right-of-way or 20 feet beyond. Your right of way is where your sidewalk is or would be if you had one. The Tree Descriptions document has further suggestions on placement.
Who plants the trees?
Volunteers! If you would like to help, please let us know, we would love to have you.
Who waters the trees?
That’s where your commitment comes in. You are responsible for watering the trees the first two years. We provided a 5-gallon bucket and a clear watering guide. This reliance on citizens to care saves the City thousands of dollars while helping them meet canopy goals and increasing the survival rates of trees they plant. We also provide a plastic cover for the base of the tree to protect it from weed eaters, and mulch for the base.
When will trees be planted?
We aim to plant between December to mid-January. There is a big planting day where volunteers from across the City come and learn about how to plant and care for a tree at a planting demo, and then disperse to plant them all in one day. Last year we planted almost all of our 88 trees on Planting Day, in spite of the rain!
What if my yard has powerlines?
See the Tree Description section, we’ve provided some smaller trees for homeowners who want canopy but are limited by lines. Winged elms, for example, can be planted close to power lines.
Can I plant a small tree in a big yard?
Our goal is helping Pensacola recover canopy. If you have a large yard with space, you’re strongly encouraged to plant a larger tree. Fun fact: live oaks can grow over 2 feet a year in their early life!
May I have more than one tree?
Yes, if you have room.
May I tell my neighbors about this project?
Please do. We get a lot of participants from word of mouth and social media. Just remember that participants must be Pensacola City residents, and the trees must be planted in the City.
Where do your trees come from?
Panhandle Growers in Milton is a wholesale nursery with quality trees.
How big will the trees be?
The trees will be in 15 to 20 gallon pots small enough for volunteers to lift. Live oaks, maples and elms range from 6-8 feet tall at planting.
Will my trees need to be staked?
Since these trees will be planted outside of hurricane season, we’ve had success with not staking. If you would like to stake you can.
Why didn’t I hear about this project last year?
We partnered with CNAPP (Coalition of Neighborhood Association Presidents of Pensacola) in the last project. Going through established neighborhood associations made communication and getting the word out easier, but it ended up limiting our scope. We’re committed to expanding the reach of our project each year.
Join Us in Making a Difference
You Can Support the Canopy Restoration Project!
Be a part of our mission to enhance Pensacola’s green spaces – together, we can create a lasting legacy for future generations.