Tree Care Workshop – Fall 2025
In October 2025, the City of Hartford Forestry Division hosted a fantastic tree care workshop! Led by Candace Powning, Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Tree Planting and Outreach Coordinator, the event was a proud collaboration with The West Indian Social Club of Hartford (@wiscofhartford) and Hartford Communities That Care (@hartfordctc) as part of the Capital Forest Stewardship Initiative. Check out our photo library for more great shots from the day! 🌳📸 [Photos by @rocsphotography]
Tree Planting Program/Session – Spring 2026
On May 30, 2026, the West Indian Social Club of Hartford, Inc. continued to plant seeds of hope and change, creating a legacy for future generations. Despite unexpected rain and strong winds, WISCOH and several community organizations came together to install ten lilac trees—one in front of the building and nine in the backyard.
According to Racquel (Brown) Walker, a member of WISCOH, “The backyard of the club is very well used, and the trees planted will help to limit pollution and beautify our space. I think it’s calming to have the trees, and I hope others will enjoy them too.”
Patrick Doyle, Executive Director of Knox, noted, “Hartford’s tree canopy coverage is 26%, which is significantly lower than Connecticut’s average of 56–61%. The lack of coverage directly contributes to Hartford’s hotter temperatures, worse air quality, more frequent flooding, and higher energy costs than surrounding towns. To combat this, Trees for Hartford is offering to plant free trees on Hartford residents’ properties. The initiative planted over 250 trees throughout Hartford this spring, with more to come in the fall.”
We extend our gratitude to the City of Hartford for the Tree Initiative; City of Hartford Councilwoman Kelly Bilodeau and her legislative aide, George DeLeon; KNOX Inc.; Hartford Community That Cares (HCTC); Our Piece of the Pie (OPP); SavaTree; UCONN Extension; the Connecticut Forest and Park Association; the Keney Park Sustainability Project; members of the West Indian Social Club of Hartford(WISCOH), Inc.; and the Greater Hartford West Indian Lion’s Club (GHWILC).
If you are a Hartford resident and interested in receiving a free tree to beautify your home while contributing to a greener environment, please contact the City of Hartford’s Forestry Division or the Office of Sustainability at forestry@hartford.gov.
Photos are available in our Photo Library under the Special Events category.
