• SRP is offering free shade trees to its customers this summer.
• Customers must attend an online workshop before receiving their trees.
• The program has distributed over 62,000 trees since 2012.
• The trees can help cool homes and reduce energy costs.

June 6, 2024 — The Salt River Project (SRP)  is bringing back its popular Shade Tree program this summer, offering customers the opportunity to receive up to two free shade trees. The program aims to help customers save on energy bills, increase tree cover, and support local ecosystems.

To participate, customers must first attend one of three virtual workshops scheduled for July and August (registration link). The workshops will cover tree planting and care, ensuring that customers are equipped to properly maintain their new trees. After attending a workshop, customers can select up to two tree saplings from available varieties, including Palo Verde, Native Mesquite, Thornless Mesquite, Willow Acacia, Desert Willow, and Lilac Chaste. The selected trees can be picked up at a designated location.

Program Success and Environmental Impact.

The Shade Tree program has seen significant success since its launch in 2012, distributing over 62,000 trees to date. This spring alone, the program provided over 5,000 trees to more than 2,500 customers. Lori Gonzales, SRP Senior Product Manager, expressed pride in the program’s ability to help customers save on energy costs while positively impacting the environment.

Benefits of Shade Trees.

Shade trees offer numerous benefits, including reducing energy costs by providing natural cooling for homes. They also contribute to increased tree cover, enhancing local ecosystems and providing habitat for wildlife.

Eligibility and Registration.

To be eligible for the program, participants must be current residential SRP electric customers, attend a workshop, and have the legal right to plant trees on their property. Renters must obtain verbal permission from their landlord. There are also specific requirements for tree placement to maximize their benefits.

Interested customers can register for a workshop and learn more about the program on the SRP website at srpnet.com/shadetrees. Before planting, residents are reminded to call Arizona 811 to locate existing underground lines and ensure safe planting practices.

About SRP.

SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving approximately 1.1 million customers. SRP provides water to about half of the Valley’s residents, delivering more than 244 billion gallons of water (750,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, canals and irrigation laterals.  Image provided via SRP’s news release.

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