Creating Canopy | Penn Sustainability

Tree Giveaway Program

Penn supports the importance of trees and the creation of public open spaces. To encourage the continual greening of urban areas in Greater Philadelphia, the university is partnering with TreePhilly, a program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, for the Creating Canopy tree giveaway. Since the first Creating Canopy event in 2011, Penn has distributed nearly 2,500 trees.

Registration: Priority Registration begins Tuesday, April 18 at 10 a.m. Open Registration begins Thursday, April 27 at 10 a.m. Additional information below.
Registration Form: Registration is currently closed as we verify registrants' addresses. Check back here for any available trees or show up at 6PM on May 4 to take a chance at an unclaimed tree.
Event: Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 3-6 p.m.

Registration

Staff and faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Hospital System are invited to register for a free tree. Trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis only through our online registration system. As part of our support of the City of Philadelphia’s Philly Tree Plan, early priority registration will be given to Philadelphia residents:

Priority Registration will begin April 18 at 10 a.m. for Penn and UPHS staff and faculty that are City of Philadelphia residents.
Open Registration will begin April 27 at 10 a.m. for all Penn and UPHS staff and faculty.

Limit one tree per household. Our team will verify addresses and zip codes.

Tree Pick Up Event

When you register, you will select a time to pick up your tree. In order to keep traffic moving, please arrive during your chosen time slot. The tree pick up event will be on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 3-6 p.m. at the Penn Park Parking Lot.

The responsibility is yours to get your new tree home. Bring your car, or arrange a ride. Some past tree recipients have made creative use of wagons or hand trucks to transport their trees.

The young trees that you pick up will vary in size. Some trees are 2FT tall, while others are 9FT. You’ll want to be sure your tree will fit in your vehicle. You may wish to bring a plastic tarp or blanket to protect your car from moisture and soil.

Location*:
Penn Park Parking Lot
3100 Lower Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Directions: Travel East on Chestnut Street to the intersection of Chestnut and S. 31st Street. Turn right on to South 31st Street. Drive to the end of South 31st Street and bear left into the Penn Park Parking Lot. The Creating Canopy Tree Giveaway is located on the far east side of the parking lot.

*Many GPS systems to do not recognize "Lower Walnut Street" so please familiarize yourself with our campus map.

Why Trees?

There is a pivotal need for trees in urban areas for the purposes of stormwater management, natural cooling, critical wildlife habitat, and the many other benefits that trees can provide. In fact, recent research shows that some neighborhoods in Philadelphia can be up to 22 degrees hotter than surrounding areas, making tree planting in the urban areas more important now than it has ever been.

Trees Species Available

More than 140 trees will be available this year. Limit one tree per household. This year, Penn is offering:

Tree Information Sheets with size and care information on each tree are linked above. Download the full document for all available tree species.

Cancellation

If you are no longer able to pick up your tree, please email us and let us know. We have many people who would like a leafy, new friend!

Leftover Trees

Our May 4 event closes at 6 p.m. Any trees that had been registered for but not claimed by 6 p.m. will be available to Penn and UPHS staff and faculty on a first-come, first-served basis.

Questions?

Email us at sustainability@upenn.edu