City marks Earth Day with 'Adopt a Tree' campaign kick -off
24 April 2026
On Wednesday, 22 April 2026, Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, MMC for Community Services and Health, Cllr. Francine Higham and Ward Cllr. Angus Mckenzie joined the City’s Recreation and Parks Department in Bontheuwel to officially launch the City’s 2026 Adopt a Tree campaign with the planting of five Carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua).
The Carob trees were carefully selected for their suitability to the area. They are drought resistant, can grow in clay soil with minimal water requirements, provide dense shade and act as effective wind breaks – making them a valuable addition to the local urban landscape.
‘Through our Adopt a Tree campaign, we are inviting residents, friends and community groups to be active partners in growing Cape Town’s urban forest. Every tree planted in our public spaces contributes to a greener and more liveable city,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham..
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department is committed to replanting as part of its ongoing urban greening and tree planting programme. This is supported through both planned, routine tree planting interventions and guided by area-based planting plans to ensure the right trees are planted in the right places.
The Adopt a Tree programme is a guided and managed initiative and not an open-ended distribution of trees. All applications are assessed in line with the City’s Urban Forest Policy and Tree Work Procedures, taking into account factors such as site suitability, available space, underground services, nursery stock, and alignment with area planting plans.
Trees distributed through the programme are carefully selected and supported by the Recreation and Parks Department’s Newlands Nursery, which ensures that species are appropriate for each specific site, taking into account space, environmental conditions, and long-term maintenance requirements.
‘Earth Day is an important reminder that building a greener city is a shared responsibility. Cape Town continues to face real challenges to its urban canopy, including development pressure, climate change, and tree loss. Adopt a Tree helps us respond to these challenges by building long-term resilience while empowering communities to take ownership of their green spaces.
‘As part of the programme design, trees are provided in manageable sizes to enable easier planting and aftercare by communities, while still contributing meaningfully to long-term canopy growth,’ added Councillor Higham.
For details on the Adopt-a-Tree Campaign, including the application form, visit the City's website.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
