Heritage Park Tree Planting Adds Shade

This StoryMap highlights the efforts of the Trees Are Cool tree planting initiative. Mesa launched this initiative with a goal of planting 1,000,000 trees by 2050. It's going to take all of us working together to achieve this lofty goal. Read more  about Trees Are Cool .

On a hotter-than-normal October morning, over 50 Amazon volunteers joined the  Arizona Sustainability Alliance  and the City of Mesa to plant 60 new desert-native or desert-adapted shade trees at Heritage Park. Braving the heat, volunteers and City of Mesa contractors worked together to site and dig 60 holes for the new trees. Families and friends joined the effort, making it a truly community-oriented event.

This project, funded through the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with Amazon, was selected based on the area's  low Tree Equity Score, as determined by American Forests , and the park's existing 4% tree canopy coverage. The City of Mesa installed irrigation at the site to support the newly planted trees and will assume responsibility for all future tree care and maintenance. Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities added 42 trees north of the parking lot bringing the park total to 102 trees, or 9% planned canopy.

Heritage Park offers the surrounding neighborhood a basketball court, picnic tables, a playground, a ramada, and sand volleyball courts. The remainder of the park is primarily a turf grass area, offering an ideal opportunity to invest in shade trees. The goals of this planting project are to create a continuous shaded walking route along the perimeter of the park, provide more shaded relaxation areas and shade near playgrounds, and build a diverse and resilient tree canopy.

Additionally, the park is located in an area prone to flooding and in close proximity to a major freeway. Mature trees in Heritage Park offer several benefits to Mesa residents, including capturing and slowing rainwater during storm events, reducing the risk of flooding, absorbing and reflecting traffic noise, and creating a quieter environment for nearby residents.

The City of Mesa aims to plant desert-native or desert-adapted trees. Trees are selected to meet specific site goals, such as increasing shade, and are chosen based on factors like available space, water supply, sun exposure, human interaction, tree longevity, and park preference. Most importantly, trees are selected for their resilience in our current and future climate.

"We don't plant the same trees that were planted 50 years ago," says Stephen Addison, the Urban Forest Program Manager at the City of Mesa. "We want to be responsible and select trees that can withstand environmental stressors such as heat and drought and thrive for our children and grandchildren."

Considering the park's foot traffic patterns, it was essential to select tree species that are both functional and safe for visitors. Our favorite desert-natives that boast thorns such as the Velvet Mesquite, Ironwood, or Blue Palo Verde are less ideal for heavily trafficked, grassy areas and can be strategically placed in less frequented zones. For example, a rock-covered embankment on the north of the park provided space to plant native ironwoods. In the grassy areas, we planted desert-adapted trees such as the Southern Live Oak and Red Push Pistache to accommodate a more traditional park tree: single trunk and no thorns.

Long-term tree care is crucial in arid climates, as mature trees play a vital role in mitigating heat, conserving water, providing shade, and improving air quality. In desert cities like Mesa, trees are extremely effective at reducing heat at localized sites, according to a  recently published, multi-year study  led by the U.S. Geological Survey, the science arm of the Interior Department.

Proper care is essential, especially in dry environments where extreme temperatures and limited rainfall can severely impact ecosystems and human comfort. By ensuring proper care, we can maximize the benefits trees provide while also helping them thrive in challenging conditions.

Newly planted desert-native or desert-adapted trees will require watering for two years while to help establish their roots. Park trees may receive additional water from flood irrigation or sprinklers due to the proximity to turf grass .

As a homeowner, follow these easy steps to properly water your newly planted tree for healthy growth and to get the best start possible. About twice a week, but more frequently if it is very hot, give your tree 5-10 gallons of water each time you water. Make sure to saturate the root ball and a portion of the surrounding soil. This practice will encourage the roots to grow outward.

See the simple math below that shows how getting your new tree established will cost less than $4.00 annually.

Mesa Water charges an average of $3.68 per 1,000 gallons = $0.00368 cents per gallon. The cost of water for annual establishment:

• 520 gallons (5 gallons per watering, twice per week) x $0.00368 = $1.91
• 1040 gallons (10 gallons per watering, twice per week) x $0.00368 = $3.83

Once trees are established, remember to always water deep and infrequently! After establishment, many of our native or desert-adapted trees can survive on natural rainfall with just a few well-timed irrigations during long dry spells. Be sure to use our free watering guide resource at  Water -- Use It Wisely  to help create your tree watering schedule.

*Please note that this is a rough estimate. Estimate varies based on your tiered usage, annual precipitation, and site characteristics. 

Recommended maintenance includes young tree care and ongoing, preventative maintenance approximately every 5 years. This tree care is recommended for all trees in the urban forest, including trees in parks, on streets, and on private property.

With an emphasis on planting new trees at Heritage Park, a young tree care visit by a certified arborist or qualified individual includes the following:

• Inspect the roots and tree structure to identify potential problems
• Clean and clear the basin surrounding the tree of any weeds, debris, and unwanted suckers
• Inspect for proper staking and adjust if necessary, remove stakes if the stakes are no longer needed
• Reapply mulch as needed
• Inspect trunk and add protection if necessary
• Ensure the irrigation system is watering properly
• Water the tree
• Remove dead, broken, crossing, rubbing, overlapping branches, and further development of a tree canopy in keeping with the species, habit, and form of the tree in each unique location
• Check for pest, disease, or deformity
• Make recommendations in writing for care of the tree based upon the inspection and care provided

•  Plant a tree and record it here !
• If you rent, talk to your property manager about the benefits of trees and encourage proper care.
• Cool your community and plant a tree at your business.
• Contribute to the  Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation  Tree Program to plant a tree in your favorite park.

Trees are environmental superheroes. They provide shade, which can lower surface and air temperatures; they help clean our air by absorbing carbon dioxide while also producing oxygen; they provide habitat for wildlife; they can help us save energy when they are properly placed around buildings to reduce air conditioning needs, and so much more.