We’re happy to share that Big Reuse is launching our first full tree planting season this Spring, thanks to a grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). With this support, we’ll be planting new trees in Spring 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 seasons. Spring planting happens from March through May, and fall planting from October through December. Over the course of this grant, we’ll plant 235 new trees in disadvantaged communities (DACs) in Brooklyn and Queens. We’ll also care for 3,000 existing street trees together with volunteers and local partners. For Spring 2026, our planting will focus on Brooklyn Navy Yard (District 33) and Cypress Hills (District 37).
Street trees thrive when communities help care for them. There are simple ways to support the health of young trees or other trees you see on your block.
Check out our 5 steps for caring for street trees:
- Water regularly, especially during the first few years after planting and during hot or dry weather.
- Keep the tree bed clear of trash and debris so water and air can reach the soil.
- Protect the soil by avoiding stepping in the tree bed and encouraging others to do the same.
- Remove weeds carefully so young trees do not have to compete for water and nutrients.
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Add mulch when possible to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Small actions like these can make a big difference in helping new trees grow strong and thrive in NYC neighborhoods. Street trees help cool the block during summer heat, clean the air, and soak up stormwater. Even a single young tree can remove about 25 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. As trees grow, their impact only increases. Trees also make our streets more welcoming and support our well-being.
This work builds on our Fall 2024 tree planting pilot in Astoria, where we planted 15 trees and greened six tree beds with the help of Rise Light and Power and then Assembly Member, now NYC Mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
To support a full planting season and this new grant work, we expanded our planting team, adding three new members. We’ll also be connecting with community organizations and residents in neighborhoods where we’re planting to share project updates and tree care resources. We created a new Street Tree Information & Resource Guide to help neighborhoods care for their new trees, available in English and Spanish.
Visit our Street Tree Care & Planting page to learn more about our programs. Check out our new Tree Planting Resource Guide in English and Spanish!
You can also download our Street Tree Care guide - available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin - with a student-friendly version in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
If you’d like to get involved, you can sign up for one of our year-round street tree care volunteer events led by the Big Reuse team.
Follow our Eventbrite page to stay updated on upcoming opportunities and join us in caring for the trees in your neighborhood. You can also volunteer at one of our composting events, helping us compost food scraps and yard waste. Compost will be used in our tree care and tree planting work to support NYC’s growing urban forest!
Written by NSYERDA Fellow Tatiana Guerra.