SRP’s popular shade tree program returns in 2024 with a series of three shade tree workshops scheduled in January and February.

After completing one of the virtual workshops, customers can receive two free shade trees.

When placed strategically around the home, these trees can help reduce cooling costs during the summer months while also needing less water than other trees, an SRP press release notes.

The free, virtual workshops will educate customers on how to plant and care for the trees before receiving them. The workshops are bilingual and closed captions are offered.

The workshops take place on the following dates:

• Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25
• 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10
• 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Availability is limited and spots for the January workshop are filling up. Customers can sign up for the program at srpnet.com/shadetrees.

After completing the workshop, customers can select two, 2-6-foot-tall shade tree saplings at a shade tree pickup event. Available tree varieties include Native Mesquite, Thornless Mesquite, Palo Verde, Willow Acacia, Desert Willow, and Lilac Chaste.

In coordination with nonprofit Trees Matter, SRP distributed more than 3,000 shade trees to customers this past fall. SRP launched the program in 2012 and gives out more than 5,000 trees to customers every year through the program.

To be eligible for the program, attendees must:

• Be a current residential SRP electric customer
• Attend the workshop
• Have the legal right to plant trees on their property
• Renters need to get verbal permission from their landlord
• Plant trees on the south, west or east sides of their home
• Plant trees approximately 15-20 feet from exposed exterior walls and windows
• Be able to care for the tree, as needed
• Have not previously received trees for their property from the SRP Shade Tree Program

Before planting a tree, residents are instructed to call Arizona 811 to find out where existing underground lines are located. One call to this free service notifies the appropriate local utilities, which send technicians to the requested site to mark the approximate location of existing underground lines.