Buffalo NY
Re-Tree trees is a program available for Buffalo street planting this April; it encourages block clubs and community organizations to request free trees.
Buffalo, NY.
Re-Tree, a program of the Buffalo Green Fund, is offering to provide trees to community groups and block clubs in Buffalo for spring planting starting in April.
“This is our 20th year since the devastating early snowstorm of October 12, 2006, and we are still active in support of a tree canopy in the City of Buffalo,” said Paul D. Maurer, the group’s founder and chairman.
It is a relatively straightforward process to arrange a tree planting effort in a Buffalo neighborhood. A group of three or more needs to canvass their neighbors for permission to plant in front of their properties. The group then submits the addresses to Re-Tree who compiles the list and sends them to the City of Buffalo for approval. Once approved, the group agrees to send at least one of its members to a free bareroot tree planting workshop, scheduled for Saturday, April 18th at Compass East, formerly Sheehan Hospital, at 425 Michigan Avenue.
The seminar is run by area tree professionals and coordinated by the Cornell Cooperative Extension with support from Re-Tree and the Buffalo Green Fund.
Once approved by the City, the group will receive a list of species and addresses where planting can take place. Trees, stakes, ties, and mulch will be distributed to the group on Friday, April 24th at 1120 Seneca Street, the City of Buffalo Engineering complex.
Most groups will be allotted up to 12-20 trees to plant. This is based on the size of the group involved and submitted addresses that qualify. The trees and supplies are free of charge.
The deadline is fast approaching to submit address lists. Maurer explained that Re-Tree wants address submissions by Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Log onto BuffaloGreenFund.org/volunteer to register and submit the name of the group, location, and addresses of tree locations requested.
Re-Tree, a program of the Buffalo Green Fund, is a not-for-profit all-volunteer organization formed as a response to the October 12, 2006 surprise Buffalo snowstorm which destroyed 57,000 trees in the public areas of eighteen WNY municipalities. Re-Tree’s efforts saw over 60,000 trees being restored in these areas as of March, 2026. This includes 31,064 trees plant-ed by volunteers with donated funds and matched one-for-one by the municipalities with their crews and contractors. Re-Tree continues its volunteer efforts to boost the canopy that is continuously being decimated by disease, climate change, and other factors. Donations are most needed to continue this mission. To donate, and for more information, please log onto www.Re-TreeWNY.org.