Tampa is introducing a fresh effort to revive its tree canopy, focusing on underserved areas.

Dubbed “Plant Your Heart Out,” the initiative is a collaboration among the city, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and Suncoast Credit Union, which contributed $50,000. It takes inspiration from Tampa’s “Paint Your Heart Out” program, where citizens, businesses, clubs, and groups assist low-income residents by painting their homes at no cost.

The program’s first tree will be planted Friday morning outside Bernadette James’ new residence. She recently purchased her first home with down payment aid from Tampa’s Dare to Own the Dream Homeownership Program.

How Did Successive Hurricanes Affect Tampa’s Tree Canopy?

City urban foresters estimate that the storms may have wiped out up to 5% of the shade canopy, hitting its lowest point since tracking began in 1973. The 2021 report showed Tampa’s tree cover at 30%, a drop from its 1995 peak of 34.6%.

Reviving Tampa’s Tree Canopy

While Tampa is separately planting trees on public land, like rights-of-way and parks, the new program’s aim is to spur residents to plant on private property.

The city says the initiative will provide various tree sizes and species. Realistically, restoring the canopy with large shade trees could take years—or even decades—to achieve fully.

Many trees felled by the hurricanes were older, less sturdy varieties like laurel and water oak. The program will prioritize resilient trees that withstand salt and wind while offering benefits like shade, stormwater absorption, improved air quality, soil health, and habitat diversity.

“Rebuilding the canopy after two major hurricanes is crucial for our community’s well-being,” said Kevin Johnson, Suncoast Credit Union President and CEO. “Much like our mission to enhance our members’ lives, partnering with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful lets us address environmental needs. This aligns seamlessly with our shared aim to foster a stronger, healthier community through strategic tree and shrub planting on private land, and we’re thrilled about this collaboration.”

Mayor Jane Castor added, “This generous contribution from Suncoast Credit Union is vital, and I’m deeply thankful for this investment in Tampa’s quality of life, resilience, and sustainability.”

Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful will work with Tampa’s neighborhood associations and grassroots groups to boost tree canopy in their areas.

Residents keen on joining should reach out to their neighborhood association leaders to arrange an initial meeting. This will gauge interest, review available species and sizes, outline planting guidelines, and set a planting date. Tampa’s AmeriCorps Green Team will help with the planting.

Visit the program’s website for more details here: https://www.keeptampabaybeautiful.org/tree-program

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(Image credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times)

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