Lodi Shade Tree Project

The Lodi Shade Tree Program, a partnership between Lodi Electric Utility and nonprofit Tree Lodi, provides free trees and planting instructions to eligible customers to help keep their homes cooler during hot summers and reduce energy bills.

The Lodi Shade Tree Program was introduced to the residents of Lodi in 2021 as a pilot program. The first two cycles of the tree giveaway program was so well received by the eligible Lodi residents that the Lodi City Council recently approved a new two-year cycle.

In the first two years, all 1,000 available trees were reserved within several weeks after utility customers received information about the program in their monthly statements. “We were amazed at the response,” Tree Lodi President Steve Dutra said. “We appreciate Lodi Electric’s participation and the hard work of our Shade Tree Program team.”

Tree Lodi is an all-volunteer organization that advocates for the City’s urban forest through citizen involvement, education, planting, and maintain public shade trees.

Lodi Electric customers can qualify for a free landscape assessment and up to three free shade trees.

Tree Lodi plans to accept tree requests this cycle starting in mid-September.

How it works

Check to see if you are eligible for the program – are you a Lodi Electric customer? Do you have space for trees on your property? See the form below for more details.

Submit the online Shade Tree Program application below.

Once your application is received, the Program Liaison will contact you within seven days, if not sooner, to schedule a site visit.

Once the site visit is scheduled the Community Forester will then visit the applicant’s property to determine appropriate planting locations and tree species. The Community Forester will provide you tips on tree planting, proper watering techniques, and tree maintenance. He will also provide to you a proposed tree delivery schedule which is dependent on tree species recommended for your property and the availability of tree species selected.

Once your recommended trees become available a Tree Lodi volunteer will make an appointment with you for tree delivery. Trees will be delivered to your property with tree stakes, tree ties, and planting instructions. Our goal is to deliver your trees within four to six weeks of your site visit.

Once you receive you trees and planting materials, it’s time to plant! Check out our planting video or refer to the tip cards delivered with your tree.