SDG&E Sustainable Tree Program
for Community Partners

SDG&E partners with tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, local jurisdictions and other community partners and customers to support biodiversity throughout our region by providing/planting trees in parks, open spaces, rights-of-way and even private property.

Sustainable Tree Program

About the Program 

Community members and partners within SDG&E service territory may be eligible to participate in SDG&E’s Sustainable Tree Program for Community Partners and receive up to 10 free trees from SDG&E’s approved tree list via delivery or pick up.

Learn more and apply for the program

Frequently Asked Questions

SDG&E’s Sustainable Tree Program was designed to benefit our shared environment by increasing the tree canopy in our region. Trees provide many environmental and economic benefit to our communities – from cleaning the air and conserving water to increasing shade cover and reducing energy usage. Learn more about the benefits of trees by visiting the California Urban Forests Council website.

Community partners such as tribal nations, cities, local agencies and nonprofits are encouraged to apply for this program.

Please submit information about your organization through our online request form. Once received, SDG&E will review your request and, if approved, we will contact you to confirm trees and schedule a delivery or pick-up. 

There is no catch! This program is a part of SDG&E’s sustainability strategy, which includes a goal to increase San Diego County’s green canopy and give back to local communities. Trees have many benefits, including cooling shade, improved physical and mental health, economic benefits, and better air quality. All we ask is that you plant, water and maintain your trees. 

Trees are usually provided in 1-, 5, and 15- gallon containers. 

In most cases, SDG&E will arrange for delivery of your trees.

Currently, eligible community partners may request up to 10 trees per organization. Of those, a maximum of five may be fruit trees. We recommend fixed irrigation to ensure a tree thrives. Larger requests may be considered at the discretion of the program manager(s).

Nursery sales are final. This rule helps prevent external tree diseases, etc. from entering nurseries and jeopardizing all of the trees. Once trees are unloaded from the delivery truck, we will not be able to return them. Please, take your time, do your research, and ask questions when considering which trees you would like to request.

Each tree planted requires approximately five gallons of water twice a week for its first year. 

All tree requests are based upon nursery availability. If we cannot completely fill your tree request with your first delivery,  then we also cannot guarantee that you will get the remaining trees through our program. 

Trees are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. All requests will be managed as quickly as possible. If you are in the queue, please be patient and we will get to your request as soon as we can.

We will contact you by phone or email to confirm your order once it is received and approved. After we submit your request to the nursery, you will receive a follow-up communication with a list of available trees and the delivery details. Please note there may be some time between when we take your request and when we can fulfill your request. 

Please make sure you are certain of the tree species and quantities you want when you send us your tree list. Once we submit your request to the nursery, we cannot add more trees. 

Timing for when you will receive your trees varies due to current demand, the time of year and planting season. We try to get to your application as soon as possible, thank you for your patience.

Yes, you can request us to delay your delivery. We prefer you schedule your delivery for when you are ready to plant your trees within the week that you receive them.

Yes, you can split your order. We want to make sure you are taking on only as many trees as you have the means to plant within the week they are delivered. For example, if you have the space to plant 100 trees, but the means to only plant 25 at a time, we would rather split your order into four deliveries to ensure all the trees get planted within one week of delivery.

 Yes. SDG&E provides many tips to ensure you are safely planting the right tree in the right place. You can access these tips by visiting sdge.com/treesafety.  Please also remember to call to check on underground gas and power lines before you dig. 

811 Dig

Protect your safety and avoid costly repairs - call 811 first

Natural gas pipelines or other underground utilities can be buried anywhere. Before you start any digging project, call 811 or submit a ticket to DigAlert. 

Go to Call 811 website

Submit a DigAlert ticket

Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

Get tips for finding the right tree and how to plant it safely and sustainably with SDG&E’s Tree Planting Guide. 

Access SDG&E’s tree planting guide

Urban Forest Council

San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council

There are many other efforts to support the local tree canopy here in the region including the San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council.  

Go to San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council website