San Antonio Branching Out its Tree Planting Efforts

"A pool of money started by San Antonio more than 20 years ago to address the loss of trees that are cut down for new development has grown substantially in recent years," reports Scott Huddleston.

A 1997 ordinance created the fund, which receives funding when developers remove trees without replacing them. Funding has increased from $241,630 in 2006 to $753,197 in 2012 to $2.48 million, according to Huddleston.

Now the city is looking for places to plant trees with all that cash, after having maxed out space in the city's parks. The homes of big organizations, like college and university campuses, are the first places the city is looking. "The Parks and Recreation Department also is planting trees at San Antonio Housing Authority properties, along Martinez and Apache creek greenways and in association with inner-city homes assisted through the Under 1 Roof residential roof repair program," adds Huddleston.