Leon County Adopt-A-Tree

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A blackgum (tupelo) tree showing a wide, spreading form with seasonal color change, valued for its fall foliage and wildlife support.
Blackgum, Nyssa sylvatica, is a medium-sized tree that can reach up to 80 feet tall and typically grows in the understory rather than as a dominant tree. Blackgum, also known as sourgum, grows in a variety of sites with moist, rich slightly acidic soils. The crown shape can vary from tree to tree but becomes more uniform as it ages. It is often one of the first trees to bud in the spring and among the first to have its leaves turn a beautiful display of red to deep purple in the fall.
A pawpaw tree with broad, drooping leaves and a rounded crown, often found in understory or backyard settings and known for its edible fruit.
PawPaw, Asimina triloba, is a small deciduous tree that typically matures to a height of 15 to 20 feet with a colorful display of yellow leaves that fall in the autumn. PawPaw’s unique drooping appearance blooms in springtime, with vibrant red, purple or pink-hued 2-inch-wide flowers. This plant is easy to please, flourishing in all light conditions, moderately drought tolerant, and can survive flooding—perfect for our North Florida summers! Its ideal soil is rich, moist, and slightly acidic.
A Florida elm tree with an upright form and dense green canopy, commonly used as a shade tree in urban and campus landscapes.
American Elm, Ulmus americana, is a long-living deciduous shade tree that can reach up to 80 feet tall. This tall, straight-trunked tree features an elegant vase-shaped crown with a symmetrical canopy that can spread 50 to 60 feet wide. Tolerant of droughts, these trees prefer full sun and have extensive but shallow root systems. Its elegant dark green leaves turn a golden yellow in the autumn.

Leon County is inviting residents to help grow the community’s tree canopy through its 2026 Adopt-A-Tree Program, now accepting applications through January 31, 2026. The popular program operates on a first-come, first-served basis and is open to residents who live inside Leon County but outside Tallahassee city limits.

Eligible homeowners can receive a tree at no cost, with two service options: delivery for residents who prefer to plant the tree themselves, or the convenient “delivery and plant” option, where county staff will handle the planting.

County officials say the program offers families an enjoyable way to learn about tree stewardship. Each participant receives full instructions on planting and long-term care to ensure their new tree thrives.

To qualify, residents must agree to water the tree three times a week for one year. According to the county, consistent watering is essential—especially during the establishment phase. For the first two weeks, new trees should receive three gallons of water daily. After that, watering should continue two to three times weekly through the growing season, with increased care during droughts. As the tree grows, homeowners should apply two to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter over the root ball, keeping soil moist—but never soggy.

Proper mulching also plays a key role. Residents are encouraged to maintain a mulch ring extending at least three feet wide, two to three inches deep, and kept four inches away from the trunk. Mulch helps protect young trees from weed competition and lawn equipment damage. Chemicals, weed killers, and fertilizers should be avoided, and pruning should not be performed during the first three years unless branches are broken, dead, or diseased.

Leon County will plant eligible trees anywhere between a resident’s home and any publicly maintained roadway, or along privately maintained roads that allow public access.

Those seeking more guidance can explore tree-care information through the City of Tallahassee’s Urban Forestry page or find additional resources through UF/IFAS Extension. Meanwhile, residents who live inside Tallahassee city limits are encouraged to check out the city’s own Adopt-A-Tree program on Talgov.com/AdoptATree.

Applications for Leon County’s Adopt-A-Tree Program close on January 31, 2026, and slots typically fill quickly.

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