What makes an urban neighborhood more livable? Being able to get around safely is one piece of the puzzle. But the spaces we occupy while moving from place to place matter, too. Trees and other vegetation help make these spaces more resilient. They can serve as “living buffers” between people and air pollution. They make neighborhoods more walkable, spending time outdoors more enjoyable, and can even improve our health.
Thanks to a Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) grant funded by the California Air Resources Board, WOEIP is partnering with the Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation, Hyphae Design Labs, and the City of Oakland to plant hundreds of trees throughout West Oakland.
Tree equity: Who gets trees in their neighborhood?
Why are some neighborhoods so much greener than others? Walking around West Oakland, it can sometimes be hard to believe you’re in a town named after the mighty oak. It turns out that neighborhoods that were historically redlined in the ‘30s and ‘40s live today with only half the tree cover of their “greenlined” neighborhood counterparts. We want to restore the safety, accessibility, and joy that trees bring by planting more of them over the coming year.
Over 300 of you requested trees across West Oakland
Our partners at Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation are assessing each request to make sure trees can grow safely. They’ll start planting before the end of the year.
Questions about your tree request? Reach out to us at trees@woeip.org.
Want to know more?
For project details, questions, or to share your feedback directly, email trees@woeip.org.
Your email will be delivered to WOEIP and Hyphae Design Labs.
Frequent questions
Where can trees be planted?
Our tree-planting partner, Oakland Parks and Rec Foundation, can plant a tree anywhere near a sidewalk, where the shade of the tree would cool the sidewalk for pedestrians. This includes empty tree wells (pre-cut holes), strips of grass along the sidewalk, and even some front yards.
The specific location must meet certain criteria. Some of these include having enough space for roots, being clear of obstacles such as power lines, underground utilities, ramps, and more.
I filled out the interest form—what happens next?
If the request is for your own property, one of our partners (OPRF, Trees for Oakland, and/or Hyphae Design Lab) will evaluate the location to make sure a tree can be safely planted. This may include making one or more site visits (you do not need to be present for these). You might see markings on the sidewalk during this process. Our project partners will then coordinate with you to select a tree and sign a tree planting application with the City. Once the permit is granted, our team will coordinate with you to plant your tree.
If the request is for a property you don’t own, our project team will attempt to contact the property owner directly to see if they are interested in hosting a tree.
Do I have to sign anything?
If you own the property where the tree will be planted, you will need to sign and submit a permit application. Our planting team can help you through the process, including selecting an appropriate species and submitting the paperwork.
When will trees be planted?
Planting will begin Nov. 1, 2025, when the weather can better support young trees.
How will trees be cared for?
If a planting is in a municipal area or on public property, we will install irrigation when appropriate.
Residents and/or property owners will maintain the plants they request. If this might be a hardship for you, we want to know (email us)! We are building a coalition of community organizations, residents, and tree lovers to help care for West Oakland’s urban forest. If you’d like to participate, we’d love to have you. Email us at trees@woeip.org.
Can I request a tree?
After a year of outreach, we’re no longer taking requests for trees, so we can focus on tree planting and care.
But we’re not the only tree lovers in town: email us at trees@woeip.org and we’ll connect you with a partner organization who can help you get your own free tree.
In partnership with:
This work is made possible with funding from:
We’re bringing more trees to West Oakland through a Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) grant funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The West Oakland STEP grant aims to improve transportation equity in West Oakland by centering the community’s lived knowledge and expertise in transportation projects. STEP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.