Small Business Today Magazine JUN 2014 MASTERWORD SERVICES INC | Page 16

EDITORIALFEATURE

Adopt-A-Tree & NeighborWoods Programs –

Caring for Houston’s Urban Forest
By Mayor Annise D. Parker

T

rees provide immeasurable value
to Houston’s landscape and the urban environment. They filter the air,
provide much-needed shade, buffer
sound and wind, offer animal habitats, and
can greatly enhance the beauty and monetary value of property.  Like so many Houstonians, one of the things I like the most
about Houston is our Urban Forest.  The
trees that provide shade in our parks and
greenspaces as well as the street trees that
line our boulevards are part of this forest. 
In 2011, when the drought hit Houston and
devastated so many of the trees in these
parks and greenspaces, I think we all became more aware of the important role
trees play in our quality of life.  I see this
dedication to protecting our forests every
Arbor Day when volunteers come out by
the thousands to replant Houston.
Recently, a tree in the public right-of-way
in front of my home died so I contacted
our Parks and Recreation Department to
see what options were available to replace
that tree.  I found out about two great initiatives called the NeighborWoods Program and the Adopt-A-Tree Program. 
Both programs began in 2002 and grew
out of implementation of the city’s streettree inventory and the municipal streettree protection ordinance, a measure
designed to protect particular species of
trees planted on city rights-of-way including esplanades and the area between the
curb and sidewalk.  The NeighborWoods
Program involves working with local civic groups to plant trees throughout an
entire neighborhood; the Adopt-A-Tree
Program involves working with just one
individual.
The ordinance prohibits removal of a
tree 1½ inches in diameter or larger from

city property without permission.  When
developers do receive permission to remove trees from city property, they are required to reimburse the city for the value
of the trees or provide replacements.
In the case of a reimbursement, the
money goes into the tree fund of the

The trees that provide
shade in our parks
and greenspaces as
well as the street
trees that line our
boulevards are part
of this forest.  In 2011,
when the drought
hit Houston and
devastated so many
of the trees in these
parks and greenspaces, I think we all
became more aware
of the important role
trees play in our quality of life. 

Parks Department’s Urban Forestry budget, which then provides trees for the
NeighborWoods Program.  This program
targets specific areas in need of an increase
in tree canopy. Once these areas are identified, representatives walk the neighborhood, determine appropriate species and
planting sites, and along with the help of
the local civic group, pass out information

14 SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE [ JUNE 2014 ]

to residents interested in participating in
the program.  The Parks Department then
delivers the trees for residents to plant.
Under the Adopt-a-Tree program, if a
developer makes a straight replacement,
the trees are then available to any citizen
for pick-up and planting on a first-come,
first-served basis.  The only conditions for
involvement in this program are that the
trees must be planted on city property in
front of ones home; trees must be planted
and maintained by the homeowner; and
that newly planted trees will have a great
start to grow tall and strong.  Houston residents can sign up for the Adopt-A-Tree
Program beginning in October of any given year.  Trees are available on a first come,
first served basis.  Information and applications are available at www.houstonparks.
org.
By planting and caring for trees, you not
only beautify your home and increase the
value of your property - you help reduce
pollution, lower energy costs, and improve
the appearance of your community.  Both
the NeighborWoods Program and the
Adopt-A-Tree Program give Houstonians
the opportunity to put down some roots,
so to speak, with a tree that will be a gift to
our city that will last beyond our lifetime.

Serving since January 2, 2010, Annise D. Parker has
been elected as the Mayor of Houston three times. 
She is Houston’s 61st Mayor and one of only two
women to hold the City’s highest elect