Major Tree Planting Effort in New Tampa
Mayor Jane Castor's goal of 30,000 trees planted by 2030 in the City of Tampa takes a giant step forward this week when 3,500 oak saplings will be planted in New Tampa's K-Bar Ranch.
Combined with a December planting of 6,800 saplings (mostly pine), K-Bar alone will be at 10,300 new trees planted.
Citywide, since the goal of 30,000 new trees was announced in April 2023, the City has reached 16,838 plantings.
"The 56-acre site is bursting with potential, and the addition of these oaks means we'll be building a great park with shade already taking root," Mayor Jane Castor said. "Tampa is proud of its tree canopy, and we'll continue to grow it in our drive for environmental resiliency."
This planting includes 1,800 live oak (Quercus virginiana) and 1,700 sand live oak (Quercus geminata), all grown in liner pots. These will be planted by Parks & Recreation staff, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful volunteers, and the Green Team.
In addition to tree plantings such as this one, Tampa supports its tree canopy with the annual Mayor's Tree Giveaway, held each spring, and Tree-Mendous Tampa, a year-round program that allows city residents and neighborhood associations to request that a tree be planted in a yard or a right of way.