SDG&E’s Sustainable Tree Program was designed to benefit our shared environment by increasing the tree canopy in our region. Trees provide many environmental and economic benefit to our communities – from cleaning the air and conserving water to increasing shade cover and reducing energy usage. Learn more about the benefits of trees by visiting the California Urban Forests Council website.

Community partners such as tribal nations, cities, local agencies and nonprofits are encouraged to apply for this program.

Please submit information about your organization through our online request form. Once received, SDG&E will review your request and, if approved, we will contact you to confirm trees and schedule a delivery or pick-up. 

There is no catch! This program is a part of SDG&E’s sustainability strategy, which includes a goal to increase San Diego County’s green canopy and give back to local communities. Trees have many benefits, including cooling shade, improved physical and mental health, economic benefits, and better air quality. All we ask is that you plant, water and maintain your trees. 

Trees are usually provided in 1-, 5, and 15- gallon containers. 

In most cases, SDG&E will arrange for delivery of your trees.

Currently, eligible community partners may request up to 10 trees per organization. Of those, a maximum of five may be fruit trees. We recommend fixed irrigation to ensure a tree thrives. Larger requests may be considered at the discretion of the program manager(s).

Nursery sales are final. This rule helps prevent external tree diseases, etc. from entering nurseries and jeopardizing all of the trees. Once trees are unloaded from the delivery truck, we will not be able to return them. Please, take your time, do your research, and ask questions when considering which trees you would like to request.

Each tree planted requires approximately five gallons of water twice a week for its first year. 

All tree requests are based upon nursery availability. If we cannot completely fill your tree request with your first delivery,  then we also cannot guarantee that you will get the remaining trees through our program. 

Trees are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. All requests will be managed as quickly as possible. If you are in the queue, please be patient and we will get to your request as soon as we can.

We will contact you by phone or email to confirm your order once it is received and approved. After we submit your request to the nursery, you will receive a follow-up communication with a list of available trees and the delivery details. Please note there may be some time between when we take your request and when we can fulfill your request. 

Please make sure you are certain of the tree species and quantities you want when you send us your tree list. Once we submit your request to the nursery, we cannot add more trees. 

Timing for when you will receive your trees varies due to current demand, the time of year and planting season. We try to get to your application as soon as possible, thank you for your patience.

Yes, you can request us to delay your delivery. We prefer you schedule your delivery for when you are ready to plant your trees within the week that you receive them.

Yes, you can split your order. We want to make sure you are taking on only as many trees as you have the means to plant within the week they are delivered. For example, if you have the space to plant 100 trees, but the means to only plant 25 at a time, we would rather split your order into four deliveries to ensure all the trees get planted within one week of delivery.

 Yes. SDG&E provides many tips to ensure you are safely planting the right tree in the right place. You can access these tips by visiting sdge.com/treesafety.  Please also remember to call to check on underground gas and power lines before you dig.