Beautification
Take Root Toledo
Plant Trees in the Old South End & DeVeaux-Whitmer Neighborhoods!
Increasing our area's tree canopy not only improves our environmental systems - but also leads to more physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy neighborhoods.
To increase the wellbeing and resilience of our neighborhoods, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful in partnership with the Toledo Rotary , Keep America Beautiful, and Columbia Gas, is proud to offer free trees to residents, small businesses, and community organizations in the DeVeaux, Whitmer, Old South End, and Harvard Terrace neighborhoods.
This fall, we are looking for residents who live in census tracts within the Old South End-Harvard Terrace (45.01 and 54) and DeVeaux-Whitmer (58.01, 58.02, 58.04, 60, and 61) who want to join in our mission. Please use this map to see if you and your property are eligible for our tree plantings.
Trees Grow Stronger Communities
- Cleaner Air ~
- One mature tree absorbs up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, all while filtering pollutants like ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide from the air we breathe.
- Improved Water Quality & Less Flooding ~
- Naturally filtering out fertilizers, pesticides, & other pollutants before rainwater enters waterways.
- Trees can reduce stormwater runoff by absorbing 15-27% of annual rainwater
- Cooler Neighborhoods ~
- Neighborhoods with tree canopy can be up to 10°F cooler than areas without trees.
- Trees can reduce cooling costs by 15-30%, saving residents money on their energy bills.
- Higher Property Value ~
- Neighborhoods with trees can see property values increase by 7% to 20%.
- Better Mental & Physical Health ~
- After a neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky planted 8,000 trees, researchers found health conditions linked to heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer were reduced.
Request a Tree!
If you would like a tree for your property, please use the complete the form below. Trees will be provided and planted at no cost to you, and we will offer guidance on how to care for them to ensure they thrive for years to come.
What to know about this program:
- The native trees we plant in your yard will be 6 to 9 feet tall, depending on the species.
- You May request multiple trees for your property but trees are limited.
- In the weeks leading up to planting, you will be contacted to schedule a visit with one of our program representatives to determine the best planting locations on your property.
- OHIO811 will mark the utilities at your home and a team of volunteers will plant the tree for you.
- Care instructions will be provided. We ask that you water and care for the tree we plant for long-term success.
Serviceberry (single stem Autumn Brilliance)
Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry or Glen Form Serviceberry is known for its clusters of white flowers in the spring, leading to dark green foliage. It's oval shaped leaved turn brick red n the fall.
- Height: 15 feet
- Spread: 15 feet
- Shape: Rounded
- Growth: Fast
- Sun: Full to partial sun
Redbud (Burgundy Hearts)
Burgundy Hearts Redbuds are spectacular spring bloomers, with vibrant fuchsia flowers held tightly on bare branches in early spring and then the red-purple foliage emerges maturing to burgundy - a great small ornamental tree.
- Height: 25 feet
- Spread: 30 feet
- Shape: Rounded
- Growth: Fast
- Sun: Full to partial sun
Autumn Blaze Maple
Autumn Blaze Maples is a hybrid of the silver and red maples combining the best attributes of both - stunning fall colors, excellent habit of growth, tolerant of conditions, fast growing.
- Height: 50 feet
- Spread: 40 feet
- Shape: Oval
- Growth Speed: Fast
- Sun: Full sun
Northern Red Oak
Northern Red Oak is a beautiful shade tree with a picturesque loosely pyramidal habit of growth and good red fall color; fast growing for an oak, an extremely tough and adaptable tree.
- Height: 70 feet
- Spread: 70 feet
- Shape: Pyramidal
- Growth Speed: Medium
- Sun: Full sun
Tullip Tree
Tullip Trees are known for their beautifully shaped leaves and large yellow tulip-shaped flowers which are hard to see because of the height of the tree. This tree needs moisture and room to grow.
- Height: 90 feet
- Spread: 50 feet
- Shape: Pyramidal
- Growth Speed: Medium
- Sun: Full sun
