CommuniTree Stewards and Save The Rain

CommuniTree Steward Volunteers

Save The Rain CommuniTree Stewards Tree Planting

CommuniTree Steward Volunteers

Tree Pruning

CommuniTree Steward Volunteers

Pruning and cleaning brush

CommuniTree Steward Volunteers

CommuniTree Stewards

Registration is now closed. Registration for CommuniTree Stewards 2025 will open in August 2024.

The CommuniTree Steward program was created in 2002 in response to the Labor Day Storm and decades of tree-loss from Dutch elm disease in Syracuse. Since the program started, 323 tree stewards have been trained, over 8,000 trees have been maintained, and more than 4,800 trees have been planted.

The CommuniTree Steward program is a volunteer service-based program through Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) that offers FREE training in tree biology, tree identification, and tree planting and maintenance for young trees.

The course runs year-round and includes in-class and field training. Trained Steward volunteers then assist with community tree projects where they will continue receiving hands-on education and technical experience in urbanĀ  tree management . Each training session and project will last approximately two hours.

The efforts of CommuniTree Stewards have saved Onondaga County and Syracuse tax payers thousands of dollars in tree service and have made our neighborhoods a more beautiful place to live. Tree Stewards have gone on to lead neighborhood associations and park associations in tree care as well as make important contributions to Onondaga County in effort to monitor invasive species.

Last updated January 31, 2024