Albany Residents Can Get Free Trees Planted

Radix Ecological Sustainability Center partners with UAlbany to provide trees for residents in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Radix Ecological Sustainability Center, in collaboration with the University at Albany, is offering free tree-planting services to Albany residents. The program, funded by a U.S. Forestry Service grant, will focus on planting trees in disadvantaged neighborhoods like the South End, Arbor Hill, West Hill, and Sheridan Hollow. Residents only need to provide proof of property ownership or permission from the landowner and commit to watering the trees during their first summer.

Why it matters

Trees provide numerous benefits to urban communities, including absorbing pollutants, helping with stormwater management, and regulating temperatures. Many disadvantaged neighborhoods in Albany lack extensive tree canopy coverage, leading to significantly hotter temperatures compared to neighborhoods with higher tree density.

The details

The Radix Center has been planting trees in Albany for years, totaling over 300 trees so far. This year's program will allow them to plant a variety of primarily native trees and shrubs, as well as some edible fruit trees, in the targeted neighborhoods. Residents interested in having a tree planted can contact the Radix Center, and their team of certified arborists will assist with tree selection.

  • Planting will begin as soon as the ground is thawed, which is typically around mid-March.

The players

Radix Ecological Sustainability Center

A local organization that has been planting trees in Albany for many years, totaling over 300 trees so far.

Scott Kellogg

The Educational Director at the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center, who is leading the free tree-planting program.

University at Albany

The Radix Center is collaborating with UAlbany on the free tree-planting program for Albany residents.

U.S. Forestry Service

The government agency that is providing a grant to fund the Radix Center's free tree-planting program in Albany.

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What they’re saying

“Planting will begin as soon as the ground is thawed, which last year was probably mid-March.”

— Scott Kellogg, Educational Director, Radix Ecological Sustainability Center (news10.com)

“All [residents] need to do is show either proof of property ownership or the permission of the landowner and commit to keeping the trees watered for their first summer.”

— Scott Kellogg, Educational Director, Radix Ecological Sustainability Center (news10.com)

“Many disadvantaged communities in Albany suffer from a lack of extensive tree canopy coverage which makes them hotter. [There is] as much as a 10 or even 20-degree temperature difference between neighborhoods with high tree canopy density and those without.”

— Scott Kellogg, Educational Director, Radix Ecological Sustainability Center (news10.com)

What’s next

Residents in Albany can find out more and sign up for the free tree-planting program at the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center's website, www.radixcenter.org. They can also email trees@radixcenter.org to express interest and get assistance from the center's certified arborists.

The takeaway

This free tree-planting program from the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center and UAlbany is an important initiative to address the lack of tree canopy in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Albany. By providing residents with free trees and support, the program aims to improve air quality, manage stormwater, and reduce urban heat island effects, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for these communities.