Old Brooklyn Tree Planting Program
Old Brooklyn Reforestation Program, funded by Cuyahoga County & the Cleveland Tree Coalition
Get a tree planted in your yard FOR FREE!
Do you want a tree for your yard but don’t know where to start? We can help!
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Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation was awarded funds from the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission & the Cleveland Tree Coalition to plant over 200 trees in Old Brooklyn & form a Tree Steward Network by June 2023. In partnership with Forest City Ecological Services, Holden Forests & Gardens, and Western Reserve Land Conservancy, we are working with residents to increase the neighborhood tree canopy while equipping residents with the tools and information they may need to care for their own tree.
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To provide those who want a tree with the resources and information they need to take care of it
Trees create more forested streets that improve air quality, create more shade, increase property values, cool homes to save money on energy costs, and much more.
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You must sign a Planting Pledge
You must live in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood
There needs to be space in your front yard for a tree
You must be able to physically care for your tree (watering/trimming)
Trees must be planted on private property - no tree lawns.
If you rent your home, you must get written permission from the property owner to participate.
Trees planted through this program are NOT planted on tree lawns.
Tree lawns (the strip of grass between the street and sidewalk) are owned by the City of Cleveland and require permits to plant. Trees planted through the Old Brooklyn Reforestation Program will be planted on private property only.
If you would like to request a tree lawn tree from the City of Cleveland, you can do so by filling out this form.
What to expect
When you sign up for the OB Reforestation Program, you will receive a free tree that will be planted in your yard for free by a professional arborist. There are a few things you will have to do on your end before the team can plant on your property:
Sign a Planting Pledge. Before we can add you to the list, it is required that you sign a Planting Pledge. Please read this pledge carefully. By signing, you agree to and are saying you understand all that is written on it. If you are unsure about something in the pledge, please call Hope at 216-459-1000 x206.
Size up your yard. The planting crew will walk by your home to inspect the size of the yard to see which types of trees would work best (small, medium, or large). You do not have to be home for this process.
Choose a tree. Depending on the size of your yard, we will give you an option of 2-3 trees to choose from. You will have 48 hours from the time we reach out to you to choose your tree.
Call 811! By dialing 811, you can find out where the underground pipes or lines are located in your yard. They can come out and flag the areas where not to dig. This is especially important when planting trees for both the tree’s quality of life and yours.
Put a stake in the ground to let us know where to plant. When you sign up for the program, OBCDC will give you a stake. This stake will be used to mark where you want the tree to be planted. If there is no stake in the ground, the planting team will not plant the tree.
Planting time! Once your tree is chosen, 811 has been called, and the stake is in the ground, the planting crew will be ready to plant your tree. They will plant in the exact spot that the stake is left, so please make sure it is in the correct spot! This is very important.
Care for your tree and watch it grow! Each tree will come with a packet of maintenance information (like how often to water, how much to water, when to trim, how to mulch, etc). Please follow these guidelines carefully when caring for your tree. Click here to view the instructions online.
Questions? Want to sign up?
Contact Hope at 216-459-1000 x206 or HopeF@oldbrooklyn.com, or fill out the Interest Form below and Hope will reach out to you with more information.
Private property only. We do not plant on tree lawns.