Challenge: 18,071 New Trees Planted
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The best time to plant a tree was 150 years ago. The second best time is now.
As we get ready to celebrate our City’s 150th anniversary, it’s exciting to reflect on the wonderful gifts that our City’s founder, General William Jackson Palmer, bestowed on us. This includes more than 2,000 acres of incredible parkland – which, 148 years later, still includes some of the most sweeping, majestic views in the world. Examples of parkland gifts from Palmer include: Alamo, Acacia, Antlers, Monument Valley and Palmer Park.
Another of Palmer's amazing legacies to our community is our tree-lined city. When he founded our city in 1871, it was a nearly treeless, arid plain. Palmer changed that by planting thousands of trees in our city. To celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2021 and carry on Palmer’s vision of a tree-lined city, we are challenging the community to help plant 18,071 new trees over the next two years.
City Forestry plans to plant nearly 400 public trees citywide in 2021. Here are the planting plans, to date.
- 73 trees in parks and open spaces
- Alamo Square Park, 2 trees with donations from the Broadmoor Garden Club (May 18)
- Gold Camp Park
- Henry Park
- Ford Frick Park
- Franklin Park
- North Cheyenne Cañon Park
- Rampart Park
- Red Rock Canyon Open Space Park, 12 trees with donations from Friends of Red Rock Canyon
- Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site Park
- Soaring Eagles Park, 6 trees in an Arbor Day celebration (April 16)
- Wilson Park
- 302 trees in irrigated medians
- Hardy, drought tolerant trees will be planted in several irrigated medians, including Kentucky coffeetree, hackberry, honeylocust, linden, Ohio buckeye, catalpa, crabapple, pear, ponderosa, and a wide variety of oaks. This project aims to improve species diversity in these highly visible corridors and provides an opportunity to restock these large, irrigated growing spaces with shade trees that will help soften the impacts of the built environment and create a more verdant experience.
- 16 trees along the colonnade leading to the historic clubhouse at Patty Jewett Golf Course
How you can participate
Track your tree
To reach our goal, we need your tree to count! Add your tree to the tree tracker.
Learn how to plant and care for your tree
- What you need to know before planting a tree, including selecting the right tree and requirements for planting in the city right of way
- Get tips on tree care and maintenance from Colorado Springs Utilities at CSU.org and the Colorado State University Extension at elpaso.extension.colostate.edu/.
- Read about the benefits of trees and sign up to learn more at the Arbor Day Foundation
PikeRide Earth Month Challenge
In celebration of Earth Month, PikeRide challenges you to reduce your carbon footprint and support the COS 150: Tree Challenge. Here's the deal, for every mile you ride on a bike rather than driving in a car, you save ~36kg of Co2 emission. That's equivalent to the work of two trees. To reach the city's goal of 18,071 new trees planted to celebrate our 150th anniversary, ride a PikeRide to "virtually" plant a tree. Use this code for free rides up to 30 minutes: PREM21.
Donate to the COS 150 Tree Challenge Fund
Funds contributed will go to purchasing and establishing trees in our city parks. City Forestry estimates the cost of purchasing, planting and caring for one tree during its first five years of establishment is approximately $1,000.
Make checks payable to "COS150Tree Challenge Fund" and mail or drop it off to:
ATTN: COS 150 Tree Challenge Fund
1401 Recreation Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Encourage your community to participate
- Coordinate with your neighborhood or HOA for community planting projects by contacting representatives or introducing challenges
- Encourage your school district to become a Tree Campus K-12
- Work with your church or community organization to participate in tree plantings
- Challenge your workplace to participate by donating or by planting and caring for trees
Tree Tracker Map
Remember to care for your tree!
Tree care is essential for both new and old trees! All trees can benefit greatly from proper maintenance and watering.