Mesa Electric Shade Tree Program

Program Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a City of Mesa Electric residential customer (not SRP). See the service area map if you're not sure.
• Own the home or have the legal right to plant trees on the property. If you are a renter, obtain explicit permission from your landlord.
• Attend our workshop - Check back periodically for future workshops.
• Be available to pick up your trees.
• Participants are responsible for transporting, planting, and maintaining the trees received through this program.
• Have space on the south or west side of the home to plant trees for optimal energy savings. 
• Be sure the planting locations will not cause the trees to contact overhead power lines or communication lines when the trees mature.
• Ensure that no underground utilities will be affected by the installation of the trees. Call Arizona 811 before you dig. 

*Note that businesses are not eligible.

You will be eligible to receive up to two free trees after you complete the following steps:

We look forward to seeing you at our Workshop.

1. Register and attend our upcoming Electric Shade Tree Workshop. Check back periodically for future workshops.    
    Instructions for pickup will be provided at the workshop.

2. Pick up your free, 5-gallon trees (approx. 3-5' tall) to plant at your home.

There are currently six different types of desert-adapted trees being offered that are tolerant of our low rainfall and hot summers. The 5-gallon trees will be approximately 3-5 feet tall. They will require supplemental watering to get established. Print a copy of the tree selection list(PDF, 1MB). 

Mature size is 30’ tall x 30’ wide. Small thorns. Semi-evergreen.

The Blue Palo Verde has a blue-green trunk, branches, and leaves. Bright yellow flowers cover the tree in spring and the branches have small thorns. This tree is great for birds and other wildlife. Seasonal litter will occur from flowers, seedpods, and partial leaf drop. Native to Arizona. It is our Arizona State Tree.

Mature size is 25’ tall x 25’ wide. No thorns. Deciduous.

The Desert Willow has narrow, bright green leaves and an upright appearance. Large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped pink flowers bloom from late spring through summer. Great for attracting hummingbirds and pollinators. Seasonal litter will occur from the flowers and leaf drop in winter.

Mature size is 35’ tall x 35’ wide. Thornless. Deciduous.

The Red Push Pistache has a dense canopy of dark green foliage through summer. Flowers are non-showy, but the new growth emerging in red tones and the fall/winter color of the yellow and reds make this a striking tree for the landscape. Be sure to plant where it has plenty of room to grow. Seasonal litter.

Mature size is 30’ tall x 30’ wide. No thorns. Semi-evergreen.

The Thornless South American Mesquite or Chilean Mesquite is a large tree that provides lush dark green canopy. Branches are thornless and the tree will bloom with yellow-cream catkin flowers in spring. This is a hybrid species but is great for wildlife and pollinators. Seasonal litter will occur from flowers, pods, and leaf drop.

Mature size is 25’ tall x 25’ wide. Thorns. Deciduous.

The Velvet Mesquite has a dense canopy of ferny gray-green foliage. Pale yellow catkin flowers adorn the tree in spring followed by bean pods that support wildlife. This tree is great for attracting birds, butterflies, and pollinators. It does have small to medium thorns. Beans can be ground into edible flour. Seasonal litter.

Mature size is 40’ tall x 20’ wide. No thorns. Evergreen.

The Willow Acacia has narrow green leaves, an upright growth form, and a willowy appearance. Fragrant, small, cream-colored puffball flowers are heaviest in spring. This tree has low to moderate litter, but it will drop a small number of leaves throughout the year.

Visit our Trees Are Cool page to see how you can help us grow a cooler community. With a goal to plant one million trees by 2050, we need your help.

Plant a tree, then register the date you planted and the planting location on our online engagement platform. Once on the page, you will see a green rectangular button that says, “Record Your Tree.” By doing so, your tree will show up on the map along with those recorded by many of our other Mesa residents and businesses since its launch in February 2023. 

We are partnering with Trees Matter, a Phoenix-based environmental education nonprofit whose mission is “To Inspire and Promote an Increased Tree Canopy Throughout the Valley.” Trees Matter has been contracted to oversee our Shade Tree programs for Mesa residents who qualify. You can contact them with any questions at the number and/or email below. 

Phone: 480-935-9988

Email: MesaShadeTrees@Treesmatter.org

Trees Matter plants trees at schools, parks and within communities in need. They distribute desert-adapted trees to residents across the Valley and are always looking for passionate volunteers who want to help.

Visit TreesMatter.org to sign up to volunteer, become a monthly member, or make a one-time donation.

I can’t make the workshop date. Is there another option?
This program is only offered to Mesa electric customers twice a year.

I can’t make the pickup date. Is there another option?
Once you have your email instructions on how to pick up your tree, you can share it with a friend, neighbor, or family member who is able to pick up your tree. They will need to provide this info to our team at the pick-up event. At this time, we have no plan for an alternate pick-up option. Please contact Trees Matter at 480-935-9988 or via email at mesashadetree@treesmatter.org if you need more information.

How big is the tree? Will it fit in my car?
Trees are in a 5-gallon container and are typically 3- to 5-feet in height. They will comfortably fit in most vehicles.

Is there someone available to plant the tree for me?
No. You are responsible for planting and maintaining your tree.