Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Forestry Program

The Shade Trees for Schools program provides technical assistance to schools, aiding them in selecting the “right tree for the right place”- ensuring trees are planted with long-term health in mind. We provide educational resources to connect public school campus communities across the state to trees already living on their campus, as well as future trees they may add to their campus ʻohana.

If you are interested in learning about trees or planting more on your campus, contact our Campus Forester, Malia Staab, to set up a school visit.

• Request a campus consultation on tree care or choosing the “right tree for the right place.”
• Request a classroom presentation on the value of trees and native plants in the urban forest.
• Request assistance in creating a campus tree care plan, including utilities review and requesting tree planting approvals through the DOE Office of Facilities and Operations (OFO).

Download the Shade Trees For Schools Flyer

Our Why

Campus trees offer opportunities for students to connect with local ecology, food systems, culture, and art. Mature trees provide shade for rest and play, and provide a cleaner, calmer campus for students. Studies have shown that simply viewing trees and having basic access to green spaces outside the classroom can improve educational outcomes by reducing stress and improving students’ focus and attention spans. 

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Hawaiʻi’s schools and surrounding neighborhoods have less than 30% tree canopy cover, which is the minimum amount for spaces to reap these benefits (Konijnendijk, 2022). Planting trees on school campuses can combat this absence, and is necessary for community and personal health. 

Benefits of Trees on School Campuses

Campus trees provide students and staff with a number of benefits, including:

• Cooling shade which reduces the urban heat island effect, heat stress and cooling costs
• Mature trees remove carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air and reduce noise pollution
• Protect our watersheds by mitigating stormwater runoff and erosion
• Trees on campus help reduce mental and physical stress, encourage students to spend more time outdoors and have been linked with improved academic performance (Dongying & Sullivan 2016, Kuo et al, 2018; Kuo et al, 2021).
• Create community and educational opportunity by connecting us to culture, food, and art
• Read more about the value of trees on our Kaulunani webpage

Urban trees face threats from confined spaces, air and water pollution, soil compaction, urban heat, introduced pests, and poor management such as excessive pruning. Before planting on your campus, make a long-term tree health and care plan to help combat these obstacles.

Make a Campus Tree Care Plan

From knowing what trees work for your campus to long-term care and maintenance, greening your campus can be an overwhelming process. That’s why we are here to help! Here are some first steps to get started:

Plan: Designing and building a plan for tree planting and care is an important step in achieving and maintaining the goals you have for your campus. 

• Vision: What is your vision and goals for your campus? What trees do you want and where? Consider cultural and educational goals, spatial and resource limitations, and infrastructure. Are you planting trees for shade, lei, food, or classroom connection etc.? 
  
  • It can help to map your current campus trees to help decide and design new tree plantings.
• Stewardship: Who will be involved in upkeep and care? What does long-term stewardship look like on your campus? Having a diverse Tree Team with various members of your school community can help promote long-term tree care.
  • Remember that many trees will outlive the student and teacher tenure on campus. How supportive are your facilities team and administration of a long term tree care commitment?
  • How can students and teachers be involved in planting events, tree care and classroom tree learning? What will your district/curriculum allow? (mālama class periods, grade workdays, etc.)
  • How can you involve the community in campus tree care? (i.e. community workdays, ʻohana days, etc.)

Selection: Choose the “right tree for the right place.” When looking for the right tree, consider environmental requirements (soil, sun, water) and how your tree will grow over time (size, shape, productivity of foliage or fruit).

• • When deciding on planting location, think about infrastructure limitations both below and above ground (proximity to buildings, sidewalks, powerlines, rooftop PV, underground electrical and water lines). 
  • Be sure to compare proposed planting locations with available campus utility plans or knowledgeable facilities staff.

Permissions: Have a conversation with your administration and facilities team about your planting vision, location, desired tree species, and stewardship plan. For DOE campuses, all proposed planting should be approved in advance by DOE Office of Facilities and Operations (OFO) authorized personnel; site modifications may not be made without prior approval.

• • It is helpful to have a written plan summarizing your vision, tree care team, species selection and utilities review to avoid conflicts.

Planting: Have a planting event! Planting trees is an opportunity to engage students, facilities, teachers and administrators to foster a relationship between your community and campus tree(s).

• Having signage with tree information can be a way to have continued education after the planting event.
• Plan for the long term care of your tree, consider irrigation and tree protection needs as well as regular upkeep such as weeding and pruning.
• To set your tree up for success, plant in line with Hawaiʻi’s rainy season (Nov-Feb) and avoid new plantings leading up to summertime.

Pilina: How can you continue to build relationship between trees and your campus culture?

• Have regular tree education or care events – celebrate Arbor day every November, create classroom connection with campus trees through creating, such as lei making, weaving, or leaf rubbing activities.
• Use campus trees as classroom tools – a shady outdoor learning space for a change of scenery, a connection to history, art, culture, science etc.
• Connect campus trees to larger community forestry activities – volunteer with restoration partners, visit parks or arboretums etc.
  

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  Already Celebrating Trees? Become a Tree Campus!

  Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus K-12 program inspires the next generation of tree stewards through experiences that bring the benefits of trees to life both inside and outside the classroom. 

  The program fosters positive connections between youth and the trees in their community and cultivates within its participants a lifelong respect for trees on a global scale. 

  Want your campus to become a Tree Campus? See which Hawaiʻi schools are current Tree Campuses here, and watch this webinar to learn more about the application process. 

Resources and Curriculum

Contact Us

Malia Staab, Campus Forester, email

Funding for this project provided by the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program. Kaulunani is an equal opportunity provider.