By protecting our trees, we protect our health and our homes from pollution and extreme weather.
The trees we see right outside our front windows and lining the streets in our neighborhoods are the ones that do the most to protect us from the challenges of a changing climate.
We rely on them to clean up air pollution, prevent soil erosion, shield our homes from strong wind and extreme heat, and feed our native pollinators.
However, as buildable land in Asheville becomes more expensive and more buyers vie for a dwindling supply, our trees become harder to preserve. At the same time, without urgent action to replace the trees we’ve lost, Asheville’s residents will have to make up the cost of the ecosystem services our urban trees currently provide for free.
Asheville GreenWorks has invested in the infrastructure and resources that will support scaling of its mission to plant 50,000 trees by 2040.
We currently operate two tree nurseries where we grow 2,500 trees per year for planting on public land or adoption by local residents for planting at their homes.
Our goal is to restore the tree canopy to 50 percent by 2040. Though we hope to do more, this goal is the minimum required to maintain a functioning tree ecosystem and ensure no loss of ecosystem services in Asheville.
Our dedicated tree guardians have been tirelessly working to protect and restore our urban tree canopy.
50,195
Native trees planted
1973-2020
62
Volunteer TreeKeepers
6
Community Food Tree Orchards Established
265
Treasured Trees Honored
Won
Tree Protection Ordinance and City Urban Forester
Asheville GreenWorks has been a leader in preserving and restoring the urban tree canopy for almost 50 years. It has established or helped to establish 42 city and county parks and planted more than 50,000 native trees on public and private land throughout Asheville.
GreenWorks was also the driving force behind the City of Asheville’s 2019 tree canopy study that determined the extent of urban tree loss, and identified priority neighborhoods for tree canopy restoration.
Asheville GreenWorks has generated tremendous momentum toward restoring the tree canopy, but we’re losing trees much faster than we can replace them. Your investment will help us uplevel our efforts to protect our urban trees and restore our tree canopy.
You support operations at our Sand Hill Tree Nursery, where we plant and raise thousands of trees each year.
You enable us to lead tree education programs for school and community groups as well as special events and workshops for residents.
You provide trees for public plantings at schools, libraries, community gardens, parks.
You support our volunteer TreeKeepers in their efforts to plant and care for trees in their neighborhoods.
You purchase materials and supplies that fuel our tree-growing efforts, like garden soil and pots, as well as helping us cover our gasoline and electricity costs.
You enable us to coordinate with our volunteer Tree Protection Task Force to advocate for tree protection policies in Asheville and Buncombe County.
Donate Now
Will you give a gift now to help us plant the next generation of Asheville trees?
More Ways to Give
Donate your Tools or Machinery
Give a much appreciated gift like soil, hand tools, or wheelbarrows to help our volunteers care for thousands of trees.
Lend a Hand at a Nursery Workday
Join a public event at our Sand Hill Tree Nursery or request a tree-themed workday for your employee team or school group.
Join our TreeKeeper Volunteer Team
Help raise the next generation of Asheville trees and take the lead on restoring the tree canopy in your own neighborhood.