Growing Our Urban Forest – A Community Effort
Partnering with neighborhood groups, homeowner’s associations, businesses, and organizations, Hendersonville Tree Board works to plant trees and help educate people about the many benefits trees offer. Please note, this program is not for individual homeowners. The Tree Board hosts various tree giveaways throughout the year for individuals. The NeighborWoods program is a collaborative effort designed to replenish and sustain the City tree canopy and urban forest and to assist residents to plant and maintain trees for health, beauty, and wildlife.
How It Works
Hendersonville Tree Board provides trees at no charge to neighborhood groups, homeowner’s associations, businesses, and organizations who volunteer to plant the trees and maintain them. The Tree Board assists in helping choose the right tree for the location and provides proper tree planting and maintenance information. Typically, trees are planted during tree-planting season (fall and/or early spring).
NeighborWoods participants may plant the trees in yards, at businesses, in neighborhood green spaces, at schools, or as streetscapes along streets and avenues. Successful NeighborWoods events involve strong participation and partnership, including a commitment for ongoing care and preservation. Funds for tree purchases come from the Tree Board budget, which is supported by Hendersonville City Council. Submissions for fall program is due by September 9th.
Programs Requirements & Specifications
• Only trees Provided. For shrubs, consider participating in our annual tree/plant giveaways
• Trees are required to be native
• Must live or operate business within City limits and pay City taxes
Benefits of NeighborWoods
NeighborWoods projects help neighborhoods throughout the City by:
- Improving property values: Studies show that property values of homes with trees are 5% to 20% higher than similar properties without trees.
- Beautification: Trees provide instant beautification and inspiration for additional curb appeal improvements.
- Cooling urban areas: Shade provided by trees has a direct cooling effect on the air temperature.
- Improving air quality: Trees help by reducing the air temperature through shading and carbon monoxide absorption.
- Reducing traffic speeds: Tree-lined roads provide a sense of enclosure, which causes motorists to drive more slowly.
- Energy conservation: By producing shade, trees help conserve energy as they intercept radiant heat.
- Noise reduction: Trees and shrubs are effective buffers in screening out urban noise.
- Wildlife habitat and pollinator protection: Trees provide critical habitat for birds and diverse wildlife in the urban area. Pollinator-friendly trees and shrubs help preserve and enhance pollinator insects.
History of NeighborWoods Tree-Planting Projects
Since 2010, approximately 605 trees have been planted in Hendersonville through the NeighborWoods program.