Salt River Project’s shade tree program returns this year, providing a choice among six desert-adapted varieties to those who listen in during an online workshop to learn how to plant and care for them.

The program offers up to two free shade trees per SRP customer service address.

After the workshop, customers can select tree saplings, each 2- to 6-feet tall, at pickup events in March and April.

The available varieties this year include Palo Verde, Native Mesquite, Thornless Mesquite, Willow Acacia, Desert Willow, and Lilac Chaste, according to an SRP release.

Registration is open for the virtual workshops:
• Noon-1:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16.
• 10-11:15 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1.

In 2024, SRP distributed more than 3,500 trees to more than 1,795 customers, SRP officials said, and more than 62,000 trees have been distributed through the program since it launched in 2012.

To learn more about the program and to sign up for a free workshop, visit Free shade trees program and workshop | SRP.

All workshops are available in English and Spanish.