Our mission is to plant, protect, and promote trees throughout the greater Houston area.
Our History
Founded in 1983, Trees For Houston initially focused our early efforts on planting street trees in the heart of Houston. Now celebrating our 41st anniversary, with over half a million trees planted, our organization has evolved into one that grows, plants, and maintains thousands of trees across the greater Houston region.
Our purpose
Trees For Houston grows, plants, and maintains thousands of trees annually. Our simple, concise mission is to plant trees for the benefit of our entire community. Although focused on Houston, Trees For Houston is an effective regional entity, improving the quality of life with plantings in 19 counties surrounding our urban core. Many studies show that neighborhoods with healthy tree canopies enable children to develop better social skills, cognitive abilities, school performance, and concentration. Trees in neighborhoods are associated with citizens feeling safer, reducing crime, and providing residents with a sense of social stewardship.
Trees For Houston brings profound change to the urban landscape of the greater Houston region by planting, donating, and maintaining hundreds of thousands of trees. We are an integral part of establishing and renewing green infrastructure throughout the city. Our core programming focuses on tree planting, tree distribution, tree nursery operations, and education. Our tree planting operations scale from planting established trees around schools and in neighborhoods, to planting mixed native species along esplanades and bayous, to donating trees to reforest our parks and trails.
In our 2023-2024 Planting Season, we…
“From the seed, to the garden, to the wood - makes a tree the universal bridge to life.
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Trees have more benefits than you'd think.
Trees Reduce Air Pollution
Trees reduce pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and particulates that trigger respiratory illnesses.
Trees Provide Oxygen
Through the process of photosynthesis, trees provide us with the oxygen we need in order to breathe.
Trees Reduce Stress
Exposure to nature and green space benefits our social, psychological, and physical health.
Trees Reduce Urban Heat and Home Cooling Bills
Trees help reduce temperatures (and bills) by shading buildings and concrete.
Trees Provide Food and Habitat for Wildlife
In addition to providing shelter for wildlife, trees are a food source for many species of animals.
Trees Reduce Storm Water Runoff and Slow Erosion
Trees absorb and clean excess rainwater through their roots, which helps hold the soil in place preventing erosion.
