Restoring Pensacola’s Canopy Together
Join our mission to enhance Pensacola’s green spaces through planting native trees. Together, we can create a healthier, more beautiful environment for current and future generations.
Community Impact
We provide the public benefit of shading sidewalks and roads, while the ecological benefits of passive cooling, stormwater mitigation.
Cost Savings
We save the city thousands of dollars in planting and upkeep cost while enhancing the beauty and health of our neighborhoods.
Native Trees
Promote biodiversity by planting native species that thrive in local environments.
Our Mission
Empowering Pensacola to Create a Cooler, Greener Future
The Canopy Restoration Project unites volunteers and local organizations to plant native trees, beautifying our community and improving the environment for everyone. Discover how you can join our efforts.
Restoring Pensacola’s Urban Forest
Native Tree Catalog
Browse our catalog of native trees you can have planted in your yard. Once you’re ready, complete a tree application to request the trees for your yard.
Planting Guidelines
● At least 25’ from power lines
● At least 20’ from house
● At least 20’ between maples
● At least 8’ from road, 8’ from sidewalk
Description: This is a fast-growing tree, providing quick shade and a beautiful Fall color. Deciduous: will lose leaves in Fall.
Mature height: 40’-50′ Mature width: 25′-30′
Prefers full sun, and a lot of water.
Planting Guidelines
● At least 25’ from powerlines
● At least 15’ from house
● At least 10’ between trees
● At least 8′ from sidewalk, and 8’ from road
Description: This is a slow-growing tree with beautiful blooms in early to mid-fall. Smaller leaves and stature than the traditional southern magnolia. Evergreen: has leaves year-round.
Mature height: 15′-30’
Mature width: 10′-15’
Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Planting Guidelines
● At least 25′ from powerlines
● At least 15′ from house
● At least 8’ from road, and at least 8’ from sidewalk
Description: Fast-growing deciduous tree good for urban environment. It may need to be staked during the first couple of years if wind storms occur as it takes awhile for roots to establish.
Mature Height: 40′-60’
Mature Width: 30’-40’
Planting Guidelines
● At least 25’ from powerlines
● At least 20’ from house
● At least 8’ from sidewalk, and at least 8’ from road
Description: Highly wind and drought-resistant once established. A tough and enduring tree that responds with vigorous growth to plentiful moisture and well-drained soil. Evergreen: Has leaves year round.
Mature Height: 40’-80’
Mature Width: 60’-100’
Planting Guidelines
● At least 25’ from powerlines
● At least 20’ from house
● At least 8’ from sidewalk, and at least 8’ from road
Description: Highly wind and drought-resistant once established. This oak is slower growing than the live oak, but better suited for smaller yards. Evergreen: Has leaves year round.
Mature height: 30′-50’
Mature width: 50′-80′
Help Transform Our Community with Trees
Get involved with the Canopy Restoration Project and make a difference. Your participation helps enhance our green spaces, promotes environmental health, and brings beauty and shade to our neighborhoods. Together, we can create a greener Pensacola.
Highlights of Our Tree Planting Projects
Discover the impact of our volunteer efforts in local neighborhoods, celebrating the beauty of native trees while improving ecological health and enhancing community spaces in Pensacola.
Community Impact
What Our Community Says
Hear from those who have experienced our impact firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about canopy restoration.
Who qualifies for this project?
Any resident of the City of Pensacola can receive a tree. In 2025, our project was also approved for County residents, and we are working to continue this in 2026 and beyond!
Each year we focus on new areas. For example, we targeted Eau Claire, Camelot and Scenic Heights in our outreach because they were underrepresented in our last project.
Where can I put a tree?
Because funding is provided by City and County grants to benefit our neighborhoods, all trees must be planted inside the Right-of-Way (ROW) or within 20 feet. Your ROW is where your sidewalk is (or would be) and can usually be seen on a boundary survey.
Please see our Tree Catalog for additional placement guidelines.
What is Right-of-Way (ROW)?
A Right-of-Way (ROW) is the land that the City/County owns between the street and your property line. This is where sidewalks are located (or would be) and can usually be seen on boundary surveys.
Who plants the trees?
Volunteers! If you would like to help, please let us know, we would love to have you.
Who waters the trees?
That’s where your commitment comes in. You are responsible for watering the trees the first two years. We provided a 5-gallon bucket and a clear watering guide. This reliance on citizens to care saves the City thousands of dollars while helping them meet canopy goals and increasing the survival rates of trees they plant. We also provide a plastic cover for the base of the tree to protect it from weed eaters, and mulch for the base.
When will trees be planted?
We aim to plant between December to mid-January. There is a big planting day where volunteers from across the City come and learn about how to plant and care for a tree at a planting demo, and then disperse to plant them all in one day. Last year we planted almost all of our 88 trees on Planting Day, in spite of the rain!
What if my yard has powerlines?
See our Tree Catalog for specific guidelines. We provide some trees for homeowners who want canopy but are limited by powerlines. Winged elms, for example, can be planted close to powerlines.
Can I plant a small tree in a big yard?
Our goal is helping Pensacola recover canopy. If you have a large yard with space, we strongly encourage you to plant a larger tree. You can also apply for up to 3 trees!
Fun fact: Live oaks can grow over 2′ per year in their early life!
May I have more than one tree?
Yes, you may apply for up to 3 trees if you have the space! Please see our Tree Catalog to determine correct spacing. Contact us if you have room for more than 3 trees!
May I tell my neighbors about this project?
Please do! We get a lot of participants from word-of-mouth and social media. Just remember that participants must be Pensacola residents with property and Right-of-Way.
Where do your trees come from?
Panhandle Growers in Milton is a 350+ acre wholesale tree grower and nursery. They have been providing high quality trees to the area since 1987.
How big will the trees be?
When they are delivered and planted, most of our trees are in 15-20 gallon pots and are 6-8 feet tall.
Will my trees need to be staked?
Since these trees will be planted outside of hurricane season, we’ve had success with not staking. If you would like to stake you can.
Why didn’t I hear about this project last year?
We partnered with CNAPP (Coalition of Neighborhood Association Presidents of Pensacola) in the last project. Going through established neighborhood associations made communication and getting the word out easier, but it ended up limiting our scope. We’re committed to expanding the reach of our project each year.
Why can’t I plant a tree in my backyard?
Unfortunately, all trees must be planted inside the Right-of-Way (ROW) or within 20 feet. Backyards generally do not meet this criteria, but if your property is an exception, please contact us to verify before applying.
Please see our Tree Catalog for placement guidelines for each tree type.
Join Us in Making a Difference
You Can Support the Canopy Restoration Project!
Be a part of our mission to enhance Pensacola’s green spaces – together, we can create a lasting legacy for future generations.