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Did you know you live in a forest?

San Antonio’s Urban Forest consists of an estimated 138 million trees that provide all sorts of benefits. From cooling our homes and cleaning our air to slowing down floodwaters and providing habitat to countless critters, San Antonio’s trees are the backbone of our city’s green infrastructure.

Tree City USA

Since 2016, San Antonio has been proud to be a Tree City USA community. The Arbor Day Foundation sponsors this program, which recognizes incorporated municipalities for meeting these four key standards:

  • Maintaining a tree board or department.
  • Having a tree care ordinance.
  • Running a community forestry program with a budget of at least $2 per capita.
  • Holding an annual Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

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Although the city was officially named a Tree City USA in 2016, San Antonio has been celebrating Texas Arbor Day since the 1990s. The annual free event is officially hosted by San Antonio Parks and Recreation with support from the Development Services Department’s City Arborist team and an ever-growing group of passionate community advocates.

Día del Árbol – A Texas Arbor Day celebration

Celebrate our city’s urban forest at San Antonio Parks and Recreation’s annual Día del Árbol on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Located on the grounds of the historic Mission Marquee Plaza, attendees will have the opportunity to adopt one of over 1,000 native, drought-tolerant trees, learn tree planting and care tips from forestry professionals, and enjoy a wide variety of family-friendly activities and entertainment. Read on to learn more about this tree-mendous event!

Our largest annual tree adoption

As the leaves change and the calendar turns over to November, tree planting season is in full swing here in San Antonio. While most of the country celebrates Arbor Day in the spring, Texas Arbor Day is officially held in November to allow the best conditions for planting trees. Here in San Antonio, a common rule of thumb is to plant trees between October and April, with the cooler Fall and Winter months preferred. This allows new trees to adapt to their new planting locations by establishing strong roots before San Antonio’s hot summer months.

You can help grow our city’s green canopy and enjoy the benefits of a healthier environment by adopting a FREE native, drought-tolerant tree at our annual Día del Árbol event. With over 1,000 trees available, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your yard.

Not sure which tree to choose? Our friendly forestry experts will guide you through a variety that thrives in our climate and meets your needs. Our selection includes stunning options for every yard. Here are just a few of the tree species that will be available:

  • For beautiful flowers: Texas Redbud, Eve’s Necklace, and Desert Willow.
  • For shade and energy savings: Bur Oak, Pecan, and Cedar Elm.

By adopting a tree, you’re not just planting a sapling — you’re planting a cooler, greener, and more resilient future for your home and community. This offer is available exclusively to residents of San Antonio and its Extra Territorial Jurisdiction.

The full list of trees will be available at the event.

Wood you like to learn more?

After picking up your new tree, head over to chat with on-site tree experts about planting, watering and caring for your new tree. Staff and volunteers from the Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forestry team, Development Service’s City Arborist’s Office, and Forestry Stewards will be ready to help.

In our vendor zone, over 20 nature and environmental-focused organizations will be hosting outreach tables filled with fun activities, information and opportunities to connect and volunteer. Forestry-focused organizations include: Bexar Branches, San Antonio Arboretum and the Texas A&M Forest Service.

For a full list of organizations, ranging from to the Alamo Area Texas Master Naturalists to the Witte Museum, visit the event page.

Unbe-leaf-able activities

Día del Árbol will be filled with fun family-friendly activities as well as resources for homeowners looking to maintain their trees.

For children (and the young at heart) visit the nature playground for hands on forestry play, story time with Miss Anastasia, and the Sapling Station to pot up your own tree sapling plug. The Carver Community Center’s Mobile Art Lab and the Mad Science wriggling worm station will also be ready to provide hands-on fun.

Additional event activities and features include:

  • Forestry tool demonstrations by Stihl and the Urban Forestry Operations team.
  • Last Chance Forever Birds of Prey Demonstration
  • SAFD’s Wildland Urban Interface Program with wildfire home protection information
  • Native plant giveaway by Parks and Recreation’s Horticulture Team
  • Poster screen printing with local artists Manola and Maria
  • Delicious food from Fat Tummy Empanadas, Go Vegan, and The Pour Box
  • Music sets by DJ Despeinada and the Agarita Chamber Ensemble
  • And more!

On behalf of San Antonio Parks and Recreation, we hope you can join us at Día del Árbol – A Texas Arbor Day Celebration.

For event schedule and updates, visit our website.

Día del Árbol – A Texas Arbor Day Event
Mission Marquee Plaza | 3100 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio, TX 78214
Saturday, Nov. 8
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Día del Árbol is a rain or shine event.

To learn more about San Antonio Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forest, visit www.sa.gov/trees.

Questions? Email UrbanForestry@sanantonio.gov.

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