{"id":232283,"date":"2025-09-16T21:57:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T21:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/232283\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T21:57:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T21:57:15","slug":"free-trees-offered-to-select-la-mesa-residents-as-part-of-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/232283\/","title":{"rendered":"Free trees offered to select La Mesa residents as part of series"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Several<\/a>Planting a tree with non-profit Tree San Diego. Photo Credit: Tree San Diego. Credit: Tree San Diego<\/p>\n

The city of La Mesa is hosting a series of free in-person and online events for residents to get directly involved in expanding the community\u2019s urban tree canopy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The city is partnering with the nonprofit Tree San Diego<\/a> to host events that will teach residents how to steward and care for their own trees. The events will run from September through November and include a free tree giveaway for 100 households on Oct. 25.<\/p>\n

The series of events is part of the city\u2019s ongoing commitment to its Climate Action Plan<\/a> to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The series is aimed at creating a healthier, cleaner and more beautiful community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The city has done one-off tree events in the past, but this is the first time it is hosting a series in partnership with Tree San Diego.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Growing La Mesa\u2019s urban forest<\/p>\n

Elektra Fike-Data, executive director of Tree San Diego, said that the city saw the opportunity to boost the urban forest by collaborating with local residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hilary Ego, La Mesa\u2019s environmental sustainability manager, said that the city manages trees in public spaces, such as parks and sidewalks, but recognized the need for more on private property.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cTo reach our tree canopy goals, we need people to plant in their homes and their yards,\u201d Ego said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Planting a tree on a property has many benefits<\/a>. A mature tree even increases property values<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s just a myriad of benefits to installing a tree on your property,\u201d said Fike-Data. \u201cWhat we\u2019re hearing most from the community is that they want more shade, they want less heat and they want cleaner air.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Residents also will have the opportunity to learn about trees in La Mesa and the benefits they provide. The Tree Trek event on Oct. 11 is a walk around La Mesita Park with an arborist to identify the different trees and their benefits. The event is suitable for kids and is ADA accessible.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first 100 residents who arrive at the giveaway on Oct. 25 will receive a free tree. Tree San Diego will note each one that is planted on an interactive Tree Plotter map<\/a> that tracks and calculates the eco-benefits of each.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re learning about your local environment, your backyard,\u201d said Fike-Data. \u201cGetting involved with your community is everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Event details<\/p>\n

La Mesa residents who attend events on Sept. 27 or Oct. 11 will be entered in a drawing for a free 5-gallon fruit tree.\u00a0Here are the locations:<\/p>\n