Civic Engagement
Natural Environment
How to Get a Tree
Creating Canopy happens each spring. Staff and faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Hospital System are invited to register for a free tree two weeks before the giveaway event. A link to register will be provided on this page when it opens. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed of updates.
Trees will be available to reserve on a first-come, first-served basis only through our online registration system. As part of our support of the City of Philadelphia’s Philly Tree Plan, priority registration will be given to Philadelphia residents.
- Priority Registration will begin April 22, 2024, at 10 a.m. for Penn and UPHS staff and faculty that are City of Philadelphia residents.
- Open Registration will begin May 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. for all Penn and UPHS staff and faculty.
Limit one tree per household. Addresses, zip codes, and registration times will be verified.
Those who successfully register will be responsible for picking their tree up on Penn’s campus the day of the event, and transporting it home. Find more details in the Frequently Asked Questions.
Picking Up the Tree
When you register, you will select a time to pick up your tree. In order to keep traffic moving, please arrive during your chosen time slot. The tree pick up event will be on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 3-6 p.m. at the Penn Park Parking Lot (3100 Lower Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104). Many GPS systems to do not recognize "Lower Walnut Street", so please familiarize yourself with our campus map.
The responsibility is yours to get your new tree home. Bring your car, or arrange a ride. Some past tree recipients have made creative use of wagons or hand trucks to transport their trees.
The young trees that you pick up will vary in size. Some trees are 2FT tall, while others are 9FT. You’ll want to be sure your tree will fit in your vehicle. You may wish to bring a plastic tarp or blanket to protect your car from moisture and soil.
Directions: Travel East on Chestnut Street to the intersection of Chestnut and S. 31st Street. Turn right on to South 31st Street. Drive to the end of South 31st Street and bear left into the Penn Park Parking Lot. The Creating Canopy Tree Giveaway is located on the far east side of the parking lot.
Creating Canopy is an annual yard tree giveaway for University and UPHS employees. The event is partnership between Penn, Tree Philly, and Morris Arboretum.
2024 REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
Purpose
Penn supports the greening of urban areas, and especially in the greater Philadelphia region, by providing free trees to staff and faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Hospital System.
Team
The University partners with TreePhilly, a program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, for the Creating Canopy tree giveaway.
Impact
Since the first Creating Canopy event in 2011, Penn has distributed nearly 2,500 trees.
Flyer
Print this flyer and post it in the break room or other common spaces.