How to Nominate a Space in DC for New Trees Through Casey Trees

Updated

Casey Trees accepts nominations for places in Washington, DC that could use more trees, shade, and greenery — including schools, houses of worship, apartment complexes, and businesses. To submit one, use the "Nominate a Space" entry point on caseytrees.org. A nomination is a suggestion, not a planting commitment: Casey Trees evaluates whether the space is suitable before any tree goes in the ground.

What You Can Nominate

The nomination form is aimed at places in DC that would benefit from additional canopy. Casey Trees lists these examples:

  • Schools
  • Houses of worship
  • Apartment complexes
  • Businesses
  • And more

The common thread is a space in the District that lacks shade or greenery and could reasonably host new trees. If you are unsure whether a site qualifies, the nomination itself is the way to find out — the organization reviews suitability rather than expecting you to pre-screen it.

How to Submit a Nomination

  1. Go to caseytrees.org.
  2. Find the "Nominate a Space" entry point on the site.
  3. Provide the details of the DC location you want considered for new trees.
  4. Submit the nomination.

The expected result is that Casey Trees receives your suggestion and can assess the space for planting. The site does not state a required account or login for this action, so treat any sign-in step as something to confirm on the page itself rather than assume.

What Happens After You Nominate

Casey Trees evaluates whether the nominated space is suitable for planting. This matters because the organization works with certified arborists to ensure the health, growth, and longevity of every tree it plants — so site conditions are part of the decision, not an afterthought.

A nomination does not guarantee trees will be planted, and the site does not publish a timeline for review or planting. What it does do is put a specific DC location in front of the people deciding where the next trees go.

Why Nominating Matters

Casey Trees frames this as a way to "help shape a greener DC." The context: in 2001, Washington, DC's tree canopy covered just 35% of the city. Since then the organization has planted more than 60,000 trees and set a goal of 40% canopy by 2032. Nominations feed into that effort by surfacing the places — schools, congregations, apartment grounds, storefronts — where new canopy can make a difference.

Other Ways to Get Involved

If nominating a space is not the right fit, Casey Trees offers several other entry points:

Action What it involves
Plant Trees Tree planting solutions for homes, schools, parks, businesses, and more
Advocate Supporting policies that protect and expand DC's urban forest
Volunteer Hands-on involvement with the organization
Join Our Team Employment or team opportunities
Educate School programs and outdoor exploration for kids

Each of these is a separate path on the site, so pick the one that matches what you actually want to do.

Quick Answers

Can I nominate a private property? The listed examples include apartment complexes and businesses, so non-public sites are within scope.

Does nominating mean trees will definitely be planted? No. Casey Trees assesses suitability after a nomination.

Do I need to live in DC to nominate? The site does not state a residency requirement — the requirement is that the space itself is in DC.

Is there a cost? The site provides no pricing information for nominations, so do not assume it is free or paid; check the page directly.