How to Get a Tree

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 annual giveaway event. 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 is given to Philadelphia residents. Learn what trees are available to select. 

• Priority Registration will begin on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 10AM for Penn and UPHS staff and faculty that are City of Philadelphia residents.
• Open Registration will begin on May 1, 2026, at 10AM 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 from Penn’s campus during the event and transporting it home. Find more details in the FAQs.

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 7, 2026, 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. Make 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.

Sharing Your Tree Story

Creating Canopy has given away over 2,500 trees since it began in 2011. We would love to hear your stories to help us share the impact and encourage further greening.

Instructions

1. Complete the 5-minute Green Living Survey. You will answer questions about your living habits as they relate to sustainability and environmental impact. Each question is worth 1 point.
2. Completing the survey enters you into monthly raffles to win reusable prizes. Prizes include reusable tote bags, water bottles, metal straws and more. You will be notified via email if you win a raffle.
3. Review the Green Living Guide and adopt new habits to increase your score next year! 

How to Get Green Office Certified

1. Complete the Green Office Certification Checklist by marking all actions applicable to your office. The checklist with automatically calculate your score.  
2. Have at least 50% of your office sign the Green Office Certification Application Form. The application also requires a signature from your office head or program director.
3. Submit your completed Checklist and Form by emailing them to sustainability@upenn.edu. Please include "green office certification - [Office Name]" in the subject line.
4. Staff at Penn Sustainability will review the application. Offices will receive an e-certificate for the level achieved which can be printed and displayed publicly in your office. Your office will also be recognized here as a Certified Green Office.
5. Certification is valid for 3 years from the date of the award. To recertify, an office must submit a new application for certification. 

Overview

PennGreen is a Pre-Orientation Program for incoming students sponsored by Penn Sustainability and the Undergraduate Assembly. 

Penn fosters a robust culture of environmental sustainability, with numerous student organizations, leadership opportunities, research avenues, and courses dedicated to sustainability. Moreover, nestled within Philadelphia, Penn enjoys a distinctive setting for environmentalism and sustainability initiatives. PennGreen immerses incoming students in the vibrant eco-culture of both Penn and Philadelphia.

Joining PennGreen means connecting with like-minded peers, discovering local green spaces, exploring sustainable food networks, learning about academic and extracurricular pathways in sustainability, and engaging in community-building activities. A highlight of the program is an overnight camping trip. If you’re looking to form meaningful connections with other incoming students and develop as a sustainability leader, this program is for you!

Apply

Every year, the number of applications we receive exceeds the available spaces in the program. Participants are selected through a thorough review process conducted by program staff and student leaders. Those selected will be required to promptly complete registration forms and submit payment. Students are welcome to apply to other pre-orientation programs and make their final decision based on their acceptance status. 

Applications for PennGreen open annually to incoming and transfer students through this link. The 2026 application period opens May 11, 2026 and closes June 9, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET. Application decisions will be available in the application portal in late June 2026. 

Program cost:

Program tuition is $425. Financial assistance is available to eligible students who qualify for financial aid. The program fee is inclusive of early move-in privileges, meals, transportation, and activity fees. 

If you have questions, please contact Penn Sustainability at sustainability@upenn.edu.