Free Fall Tree Giveaway and Educational Events
Charleston Parks Conservancy’s Established Tree Initiative to Reach 3,100 Trees by 2025, Announces Free Fall Giveaway and Educational Events
Charleston, S.C.—Charleston Parks Conservancy, the nonprofit that stewards 26 of the City’s parks, gardens, and trails, is kicking off its fall 2025 Charleston Trees programming with a series of free educational events: a fruit tree giveaway in collaboration with MOJA Festival on September 27, a tree walk on October 2 in partnership with Bartlett Tree Experts and SavATree, and a tree giveaway in November. The Conservancy announced the lineup as it marks two years of Charleston Trees, during which more than 3,000 trees have been planted to restore the city’s urban canopy. By investing in trees, the Conservancy enhances stormwater management, reduces pollution, increases carbon sequestration, and boosts oxygen production. Shade trees also cool the city by up to 10 degrees and contribute to healthier communities by reducing stress, encouraging physical activity, and improving overall well-being. For a complete list of events and to register, visit charlestonparksconservancy.org/calendar.
Strengthening communities is at the heart of the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s mission to connect residents to our parks, create stunning green spaces, and strengthen communities. Since its relaunch in spring 2023, the Charleston Trees initiative has expanded across public parks and onto private properties. The initiative builds on a vision introduced in 1995 by former Mayor Joe Riley, who called for 10,000 new street trees to enhance the city’s beauty and strengthen its resilience to growth and climate change.
Today, Charleston Tree’s mission is shepherded by the Charleston Parks Conservancy, community partners and sponsors, as well as individual residents. To realize needle-moving impact, the Charleston Parks Conservancy:
- provides 1,500 free trees annually to residents with thorough instructions for planting trees and maintaining optimal tree health;
- partners with the City of Charleston to provide street trees for neighborhoods; Charleston Trees purchases one street tree for every tree the city and a resident purchase; and,
- identifies tree planting project opportunities in communities where the tree canopy is missing or deteriorating.
At the core of the Conservancy’s Charleston Trees program is a commitment to planting the trees that are resilient in our changing climate and are the right tree for the right place, a principle guided by its team of certified arborists, horticulturists, and expert partners. Each planting is carefully evaluated for long-term environmental benefits and site compatibility, recognizing that not every tree is suitable for every landscape.
“We don’t just give away trees, we give people the knowledge and guidance to plant them where they’ll thrive and do the most good,” says Robert McCombs, certified arborist and Charleston Trees program manager at Charleston Parks Conservancy. “That means considering things like root spread, stormwater management, biodiversity, and the overall landscape for years to come. We’ve seen firsthand how trees planted without proper planning can cause safety hazards, damage sidewalks, or fail to survive—turning good intentions into costly mistakes.”
The Charleston Parks Conservancy collaborates with partners and sponsors to provide educational workshops and other learning opportunities. “Educating communities about planting trees in the proper place promotes healthier growth, protects infrastructure and maximizes environmental benefits,” says Cameron Rickett of Bartlett Tree Experts, one of the key sponsors of the program.
Between 2023 and the end of 2025, Charleston Parks Conservancy will have distributed 3,100 free trees to residents, planted 44 trees at Colonial Lake to help mitigate flooding and restore the canopy. Since 2017, we have contributed 75 trees to support the City’s street tree program. The Conservancy has also offered free educational opportunities to 400 participants through tree walks, workshops, and community events.
Dominion Energy, Bartlett Tree Experts, SavATree, and generous support from private donors provide funding for the Conservancy’s Charleston Trees program.
To learn more about the Charleston Trees initiative, visit charlestonparksconservancy.org/charlestontrees.
About the Charleston Parks Conservancy
The Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the people of Charleston to connect with their parks and create stunning public places and a strong community. The Conservancy secures 90% of the funding required to maintain 26 parks, gardens and trails across the city through private and corporate donations, while the City of Charleston covers 10% of costs. The Conservancy team provides year-round park care, with a focus on strategic seasonal plantings, major park revitalizations, and sustainable maintenance.
In 2024 alone, the organization planted over 46,000 plants and 1,000 trees, donated two tons of fresh produce and 1,200 fresh flower bouquets grown in its parks and gardens, and advocated for the vital role of parks in urban life. Through 180 hours annually of free programming, including popular events like the Teddy Bear Picnic, the Conservancy cultivates vibrant, welcoming green spaces that serve as hubs for recreation, relaxation, and community connection. For more information, visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org.