Tree Testimonials

  • “Perhaps one of the best programs available across the country for getting trees in the ground in proximity to its needs. More deployment programs like this need to be available for residents around the nation and across the Earth. Green Columbus is pioneering the expansion of the urban forestscape. While their footprint is small for their nurseries, the impact is more than we can fathom currently. Thank you, Green Columbus.”

    — Bobby Jones, Old North Community (Columbus)

  • "Our organization was glad to be able to offer the tree saplings (Red-osier Dogwoods) received through the Green Columbus program at our Earth Day litter clean up this year. The order process worked well as we had guidance as to what saplings would be good for our area and simple to pass out at our event. The sapling pick up was quick and easy."

    — Ann, Make Gahanna Yours

  • “We are restoring the picnic area along the Olentangy River on the CAS campus. The Earth Day trees have provided a wonderful scaffold for re-envisioning a vibrant green space for staff and nature. The native trees seem to be acclimating well to the floodplain area. They help stabilize the riverbank, encourage pollinators, and promote biodiversity. Though it is still a work in progress, we are thrilled to see the positive changes and will continue to invest our time and energy into this vital project.”

    — Linda, CAS Green Club

  • “Friends of the Franklinton Forest has received trees from Green Columbus for the past 3 years, and our tree planting collaboration has been a strong bright spot for trees in our neighborhood! Franklinton is constantly struggling with deforestation amidst private development, public service overhauls... the 150+ trees from Green Columbus that have successfully established over the past 3 years on private property are an important step towards countering this deforestation trend. The vast majority of people want trees, and this program is a great way to empower neighbors and spark more dialogue and partnership around afforestation on a community-wide level. Each year more interest and attention is given to the Friends of the Franklinton Forest neighborhood afforestation initiative, and the Green Columbus Earth Day tree giveaway has been foundational to our civic group's sustainability!”

    — Nick Stanich, Friends of Franklinton Forest

  • “After years of removing invasive honeysuckle in Clinton-Como Park the wooded area was left with huge holes in the tree canopy. As neighbors we did not have the money or expertise to source the types of trees that were needed to replant the area. When Green Columbus offered our neighborhood free native trees for Earth Day we graciously accepted their offer. Over several years we were able to replant the park's woods with native trees and shrubs and were able to completely fix the missing canopy. In addition, because the trees were free, we were able to restore large areas of adjacent riparian corridors that would have been cost prohibative to replant otherwise. Today the park is thriving! It is beautiful, healthy, and the newly planted riparian corridors are protecting the Olentangy River. None of this would not have been possible without the help of Green Columbus.”

    — Clinton-Como Park Neighbors, Columbus

  • “The Friends of Upper Arlington Parks is grateful to Green Columbus for providing our volunteer group with trees each spring. Our volunteers have been clearing invasive honeysuckle, callery pear, and buckthorn from the natural areas of city parks for over a decade, and it is a joy to be able to take a break from that necessary work to plant a broad variety of native trees and shrubs where nothing but invasives lived before. We have dozens of volunteers join us in the effort every April, including many children. Not only do we plant hundreds of trees, but we also get to introduce native species and help the volunteers recognize the invasives they may have in their own yards. Thanks to the Green Columbus program, we have added understory species like witch hazel, elderberry, and viburnums to several parks, wetland species like buttonbush to soggier spots, and large oaks and sycamores throughout the park system.”

    — Karla Gengler, The Friends of Upper Arlington Parks

  • “We cohosted an event with the Grange Insurance Audubon Center called 'Seeds of Caring' where kids and their families planted the trees in a habitat restoration area. Despite the crazy heat, the trees have taken well to their new home. Not only did families get the chance to experience a hands-on learning opportunity, but they also got to make a lifelong impact on the area, of which used to be a police impound lot and dumping site. Now these trees are cohabitating with native wildflowers and shrubs to grow into a strong riverside habitat.”

    — Naomi Pepper, Scioto Audubon Metro Park

  • "For Earth Day 2024, a total of 69 volunteers gained experience and skills planting 184 bare root seedlings during two events organized by Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries at Heritage Park, and Alum Creek Park North in Westerville. Planting tree seedlings was a perfect Earth Day project for Junior Girl Scout Troop #6699 volunteers. After invasive honeysuckle was cleared by other volunteers from a 1/8 acre area at Heritage Park, Girl Scouts planted native Spicebush seedlings to replace them."

    — Luanne Hendricks, Friends of Alum Creek Tributary

  • “The impact that these trees from Green Columbus have within our service project with students and families will grow for generations. Our group Linworth Road Co-op has over 150 students that are home educated who got the awesome chance to learn about the environment, climate change, tree equity and much more and planted over 200 trees in their backyards. Also 100+ trees were also planted at the church’s land... The kids learned in class about all of these native trees/shrubs and their benefits and this experience will stay with them throughout their whole life. The kids responded so well to the facts about trees and how important tree canopies are for the community and were surprised to learn how trees impact the value of your road and house. I’m very encouraged that we are really creating and educating a population of future tree lovers!”

    — Stephanie Durant, Linworth Road Co-op