Tree Steward Program

This program will reduce young tree mortality while providing volunteers with regular exercise and camaraderie!

ReLeaf Petaluma is committed to not only planting native trees, but also supporting them during the first few years of their young lives. Tree Stewards are volunteers who are trained to monitor the native trees ReLeaf has planted—checking on them regularly, making minor repairs, responding to and reporting problems, and keeping accurate records of each tree’s condition, for a period of two years. 

ReLeaf Petaluma’s training program has three parts.

PART 1 covers knowledge of Petaluma’s particular species of native trees, their proper care and other related issues such as climate change and drought.

PART 2 demonstrates planting skills.

PART 3 teaches pruning skills.

A tree steward will acquire some basic training immediately, either in the classroom or with hands-on demonstrations, while other advanced levels of training are introduced over the course of the first year. Additionally, there will be regular continuing education experiences such as field trips for all tree stewards, regardless of their level of training. ReLeaf Petaluma is blessed to have a cadre of experienced and seasoned Tree Elders who will train new stewards and be available for consultations on an as-needed basis. 

Each team of two tree stewards—a buddy system—will develop their own field tool kit containing a moisture meter, hand pruners, gloves, pruning saw and cell phone. In addition to their tool kit, stewards be able to access ReLeaf’s storage shed for the more expensive tools and supplies, such as pole pruners and saws, loppers, deer guards, watering bags and buckets, fresh ties and stakes, mulch and compost with pots or buckets to transport.

ReLeaf’s Tree Stewards always work in pairs and each team is assigned a site. Ideally, tree stewards will live or work near their site. Each team commits to two years of service, but ReLeaf hopes they will adopt their trees for many years. Tree Stewards are expected to regularly check their trees, depending on the season of the year and age of the trees. In the early weeks after planting, it is vital to frequently monitor the trees to make sure they are getting enough water, but after trees become established, the frequency of monitoring will decrease. Tree Stewards are identified by their unique ReLeaf logo vests and a wallet ID card that shows they are registered as volunteers with the City Parks Department.  

ReLeaf’s Tree Steward program is managed by a program coordinator, who assigns, supports and monitors the work and training of each tree steward.  ReLeaf is pleased to announce that our first program coordinator is Deborah Adams. After each tree inspection, stewards report their observations and actions to the coordinator, who maintains records of each steward, tree and site. When assistance is needed, the team can reach out to a tree elder, a volunteer arborist or to a responsible party, such as the City’s Department of Parks.