Celebrate Richmond Tree Week 2024
Richmond Tree Week (RTW) is an annual autumn event series that celebrates Richmond's urban forests, showcases the incredible urban greening efforts happening across our city, and reaffirms our collective commitment to expanding tree canopy that cools our communities and provides many other benefits. RTW offers 40 free, tree-centric events happening citywide from October 11 through October 20.
RTW is a collaborative effort, coordinated by Reforest Richmond, of local community groups, environmental organizations (including Southside ReLeaf!), and City of Richmond (COR) departments and divisions. In total, over 20 entities are coming together to host free events for the community.
Of the 40 events that are part of RTW, one-third of them are taking place right in our backyard in South Richmond. These events include everything from tree plantings and tree care workdays to walking tours, educational workshops, tree giveaways, happy hours, and more. Below, explore the Southside opportunities to get involved in RTW, including four events that Southside ReLeaf is hosting.
Urban Forestry Department: Tree Pruning Workshop
Friday, October 11 | 12 pm - 3 pm
Swansboro Playground
The first three years after planting a tree is the most critical time in ensuring healthy root and structural development. Join COR Arborists for a free hands-on workshop on how to prune and care for young trees.
RTW Kick-off: Tree Planting, Tree Giveaway, & Tree Care Workday
Friday, October 11 | 1:30 pm - 3 pm
Swansboro Playground
Join the COR to kick off RTW and celebrate Richmond's 32nd year as a Tree City USA. Take a baby tree home (while supplies last), then help out with various tree care activities at Swansboro Playground.
Richmond Tree Week Kick-off Happy Hour + Tree Giveaway
Friday, October 11 | 6 pm - 8 pm
Benchtop Brewing Company
Join the team from Reforest Richmond for Happy Hour specials from Benchtop Brewing Company in celebration of RTW! Commune with fellow tree lovers and receive free tree seedlings while supplies last.
Southside Tree Giveaway
Saturday, October 12 | 9 am - 1 pm
Hickory Hill Community Center
Richmond Tree Stewards will give 500 FREE trees away to homeowners in zip codes 23234, 23224, and 23225 only. There are 250 trees available to reserve online starting September 16 until they are gone. Another 250 trees will be available on the day of the event. Free planting assistance is available!
Tree Planting & Tree Care Day at Blackwell Elementary School
Saturday, October 12 | 10 am - 1 pm
Blackwell Elementary School
Join Southside ReLeaf for a tree planting and tree care day at Blackwell Elementary School. We’ll be joined by Richmond Parks & Rec to plant new trees and provide care to previously-planted young trees.
Trees and Watersheds: A Walking Tour, Tree Care & Planting Day
Sunday, October 13 | 2 pm - 4 pm
Crooked Branch Ravine Park
Join LERN and The Reedy Creek Coalition for a free walking tour through Crooked Branch Ravine, one of RVA’s hidden gems. Then help remove English ivy from a forested area of the park and plant small trees and shrubs to enhance the understory.
Swansboro West Tree Planting
Monday, October 14 | 10 am - 1 pm
Meet on McRand St. between E 32nd and E 33rd St.
Join the Swansboro West Civic Association, the Richmond Tree Stewards, and Richmond Parks & Rec to plant and mulch 13 trees in a neighborhood setting to increase tree canopy, improve air quality, and support flood prevention.
Free-A-Tree! Invasive Plant Removal Workday
Tuesday, October 15 | 11 am - 2 pm
Blackwell Park / Charlie Sydnor Playground
Volunteers are needed to assist with removal of invasive species to minimize their encroachment and help beautify Blackwell Park. We’ll be joined by our partners at Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Richmond Parks & Rec.
Virtual Lunch & Learn: Trees for Healthy Communities
Tuesday, October 15 | 12 pm - 1 pm
Virtual Webinar
Trees are public health heroes! Join the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts for a free webinar to learn about the health impacts of extreme heat in Richmond and the role that urban forests play in supporting public health.
Community Workday at Ernest Road
Thursday, October 17 | 9 am - 11 am
4701 Ernest Road
Southside ReLeaf is working with the city to bring five new parks online in South Richmond! One of those parks will be along Ernest Road. Volunteers are needed to help with cutting, loading and removing tree debris to increase accessibility in the space.
Carter Jones Park Tree Planting
Saturday, October 19 | 9 am - 12:30 pm
Carter Jones / Fonticello Park
Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, Friends of Fonticello Park, and Richmond Parks & Rec to plant a variety of medium-sized trees that will cool our city, filter air and water pollution, stabilize soil to reduce erosion, and reduce carbon emissions.
Swansboro West Lunch & Learn
Saturday, October 19 | 11 am - 1 pm
Swansboro Elementary School
Join Southside ReLeaf for a free Lunch & Learn! Explore greening work that is happening in the city and ways to get involved in increasing the sustainability and climate resilience of our communities. Free lunch will be provided from a local restaurant. All are welcome.
Visit Richmond Tree Stewards at South of the James Farmer’s Market
Sunday, October 20 | 10 am - 1 pm
Forest Hill Park
Richmond Tree Stewards will have an outreach booth at the market. Stop by to talk about Richmond's urban tree canopy, local organizations working to achieve tree equity, residential tree care, invasive species, and more!
Richmond Tree Week Closing Happy Hour + Tree Giveaway
Sunday, October 20 | 5 pm - 7 pm
Gramophone Winery
Celebrate the end of another successful Richmond Tree Week! Join the Richmond Tree Stewards and Reforest Richmond for Happy Hour specials from Gramophone Winery. This is the final chance to receive free tree seedlings through the RTW giveaway.
Map of Richmond Tree Week events
In total, there are 40 city-wide tree events during Richmond Tree Week this year. The 14 we featured in this blog only include the events happening in South Richmond. To explore more RTW opportunities including a rain barrel workshop, more tree plantings and giveaways, tree walks and more, click the button below to see the full event schedule.
Richmond Tree Week is a great opportunity to learn more about the important role trees play in our communities and play your part in increasing the quantity and health of the trees that make up Richmond’s tree canopy. No matter how you choose to get involved in RTW, we hope that you can attend at least one event. And if you can’t, Southside ReLeaf will continue to offer opportunities to engage in greening efforts year-round. Follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, and/or donate to support our work in Southside.