Welcome to our Street Tree Care Program.
Big thanks to Council Member Rita Joseph for supporting community composting in District 40 and for prioritizing the NYC Urban Forest Plan. 🌳
Click here to see photos from our recent neighborhood kick-off Street Tree Care Event on 10/3/26!
We’re excited to offer you opportunities to get involved in taking care of the beloved street trees in our community by joining any of the below:
1) Volunteering for our Street Tree Care events (2 x per year in the spring + fall). Schools and corporate groups are welcome! SIGN UP HERE to volunteer; and/or
2) Adopting a street tree on your block SIGN UP HERE. We’ve compiled this STREET TREE GUIDE to prepare you as you begin your tree stewardship journey. Also, scroll down to “Tree Bed Tips/Suggestions” + “Basic Tree Care Activities” for additional info; and/or
3) If you are a local business or organization and would like to support our work with a donation (food items, tools and other supplies or financial contribution), we invite you to email us.
Got questions or would like to collaborate? Email compost.mscg@gmail.com.
adopt a tree bed tips + SUGGESTIONS
We’ve complied a number of helpful documents that cover native plants species, tips for installing signage and tree care tips. YOU ARE ACCESS THEM HERE.
Below are city programs that can support you on your journey of adopting a street tree:
Sanitation Foundation: Through the Adopt Your Spot NYC program, you can register your specific street tree bed. They will welcome you into an online community to chat with other adopters and connect you with tool-sharing opportunities to clear litter and preserve the bed.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden Community Greening: BBG runs a dedicated Street Tree Stewardship Initiative specifically for Brooklyn residents. They offer free training, specialized workshops on soil and plant selections, and help you secure the proper permits from NYC Parks. You can reach out directly via community@bbg.org.
https://tree-map.nycgovparks.org/tree-map/learn
https://tree-map.nycgovparks.org/tree-map/learn
street tree organizations in nyc
(Offering volunteer training, stewardship events, and citizen pruner certifications.)
Big Reuse: Runs an active street tree care team funded by City Council members across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, hosting neighborhood tree care events. Volunteers welcome!
Trees New York: Offers the popular Citizen Pruners course which licenses residents to legally prune street trees in the city, alongside youth programs and community tree planting stewardship.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Manages a Street Tree Stewardship initiative educating residents on proper tree bed care, mulching, and watering throughout Brooklyn.
Lower East Side Ecology Center: Hosts community stewardship events focused on weeding, mulching, watering, and planting in neighborhoods like Chinatown, the East Village, and the Lower East Side.
NYC Parks: The official city agency overseeing public trees, offering official Tree Steward volunteer training for basic and advanced care. To learn about NYC Tree Stewardship, click here.
EXPLORING NYC TREES + GUIDES
Tree Walk and Nature Art (provided by Mayra Sanchez of NYS DEC)
Got questions? Email compost.mscg@gmail.com with “Street Tree Care” in the subject line.
Click here to see photos from our recent neighborhood kick-off Street Tree Care Event on 10/3!
