Cool the City Free Tree Giveaway

Written By Sarah Wilkinson

On April 25, 2026, Southside ReLeaf and Cool the City gave away more than 250 trees to residents — primarily in Southside neighborhoods—helping grow Richmond’s urban canopy one household at a time. By putting trees directly into the hands of homeowners, renters, and students, this event empowered community members to take an active role in planting and caring for trees, whether in yards or containers. Residents are essential partners in helping the City of Richmond reach its goal of 60% tree canopy coverage by 2037. The event was a true family affair, with many attendees bringing children and loved ones along — passing down the importance of trees to the next generation. We even had a visit from Delegate Rae Cousins and her family, who took home a potted tree and some seedlings.

A woman and a young child pose with two potted trees they took home from the tree giveaway.
A woman and a young child pose with two potted trees they took home from the tree giveaway.
A woman poses with saplings wrapped in burlap they took home from the tree giveaway.
A woman and man pose with a seedling wrapped in burlap and one potted they took home from the tree giveaway while a shy young girl hides behind her mom’s legs.
A woman and a young child pose with two saplings they took home from the tree giveaway.
A woman pauses to pose for a photo with a potted tree before she loads it into the trunk of her open car.
A cyclist poses next to his bike, which was a large trunk in between the front and back wheel that two potted trees rest in.
Sheri from Southside ReLeaf and a woman bend over to speak to a young girl in a yellow dress as she holds two seedlings.
A woman poses with two potted trees they took home from the tree giveaway.
A woman and man pose with a seedling wrapped in burlap they took home from the tree giveaway as they sit in their car.
A woman and man pose with one potted tree they took home from the tree giveaway.
A woman poses with two potted trees they took home from the tree giveaway.
A man poses with two potted trees he took home from the tree giveaway, standing beneath the shade of a blue pop-up tent.
Two women pose with two potted trees that sit on the asphalt of Liberation Church's parking lot.
Amy, Syd, and Brandi from Southside ReLeaf pose and throw peace signs while standing next to (or on, in Syd’s case) a yellow box truck as they clean up after the event.
Lisa from Southside ReLeaf rests on a bicycle talking to a volunteer at the tree giveaway. Both wear reflective safety vests.
Sarah Wilkinson
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In the News: Richmond group giving away 200 trees to help ‘Cool the City’