Trees For Houston Celebrates a Historical Milestone
On February 5, 2026, Trees For Houston ceremonially planted Tree #1,000,000—a live oak—in downtown Houston at Sam Houston Park, near the historic 1847 Kellum-Noble House. The moment marked a major milestone for our organization. It offered a joyful pause to celebrate what decades of steady, community-powered work can build: more shade, healthier air, stronger neighborhoods, and a greener Houston.
If you’ve ever picked up a free tree, volunteered at a planting, supported our mission, or simply enjoyed the relief of shade on a hot day—this milestone belongs to you, too.
A milestone rooted in Houston’s past—and future
Something was fitting about commemorating Tree #1,000,000 at Sam Houston Park, a place that connects Houston’s history to its future. Trees do that. They are living infrastructure, yes—but also living legacy: they grow over time, serve generation after generation, and quietly shape how a city feels and functions.
Trees For Houston was founded in 1983 (originally as the Live Oak Society), and since then, our mission has remained constant: to plant, protect, and promote trees throughout Greater Houston. Over four decades, that work has expanded from individual plantings to a broader ecosystem that includes tree distribution, education and stewardship, partnerships, and the long-term care that helps trees survive and thrive.
Why trees matter—especially here
In a city like Houston, trees aren’t just beautiful—they’re essential. Trees help cool neighborhoods and reduce the urban heat island effect, improve health and well-being, clean the air, help manage stormwater, and can even lower energy costs. Those benefits compound as the canopy grows, especially when more communities gain access to trees and the support needed to keep them healthy.
Tree #1,000,000 is one live oak, but it symbolizes countless everyday wins: a cooler walk to school, a shaded park bench, a safer-feeling trail, a neighborhood block that’s just a little more livable in the summer.
Growing capacity for long-term impact
Over the decades, Trees For Houston has led or supported landmark initiatives that helped shape Houston’s green infrastructure, including Trees For Downtown (2,400 live oaks), The Parkway Project (tree planting across 50 miles of major thoroughfares), and Freeways to Treeways (9,000+ trees and seedlings planted along Houston’s major freeways—one of the first major reforestation programs in a U.S. city).
In 2023, we opened The Kinder Campus, our first permanent home—expanding our ability to grow and distribute trees, educate the public, and serve partners across the region. The campus includes the Kyle and John Kirksey Center, the Chevron Tree Nursery, and the Bauer Education Center.
Grateful for Partnership
Trees For Houston is grateful to Chevron for supporting this milestone celebration and for a longstanding collaboration rooted in long-term impact. Through more than 25 years of partnership—including support for tree nursery operations—Chevron has helped strengthen Houston’s urban canopy and public spaces.
What comes next
One million trees is a celebration—but it’s also a starting line.
We’re proud of this milestone, and even more excited for what’s ahead: planting and distributing more trees, strengthening the care that helps them thrive, and growing partnerships that expand canopy and access to shade across Greater Houston over time. The work continues in neighborhoods, schoolyards, parks, and public spaces where trees take root—and where their benefits are felt every day.
Trees For Houston is a non-profit organization dedicated to planting, protecting and promoting trees.
We recognize that trees clean the air, mitigate run off, cool the surroundings and beautify our neighborhoods. Houston needs trees, and you can help.
Volunteer
We need your help – come and be part of something great.
Donate
Donations of any amount help support our programs.
requests
We gladly accept tree requests and project submissions.