Trees Everywhere Project

Downtown San Antonio is growing, and so should its shade.

Downtown San Antonio is our city’s heartbeat, and as it grows, so does the need for a cooler, more comfortable, and more welcoming urban core.

The Trees Everywhere Project, led by Centro in partnership with the City of San Antonio and supported by key community sponsors, is planting for the future, expanding tree canopy, reducing extreme heat, and creating a greener, more resilient downtown for all.

Champions of the Trees Everywhere Project

A partnership built on collaboration and a shared commitment to a greener, more resilient downtown.

Why It Matters

Trees are one of the most effective natural solutions for cooling cities. Through shade and evapotranspiration, they help keep streets, sidewalks, and public spaces more comfortable, especially during extreme heat.

Shaded surfaces can be up to 45°F cooler, with air temperatures dropping 2–9°F in areas with tree cover
(U.S. EPA)

A single large tree can provide the cooling effect of up to 10 air conditioners running 20 hours a day
(U.S. Forest Service)

By strategically planting trees downtown, we’re not only improving comfort and safety, we’re also strengthening climate resilience, improving air quality, reducing energy use, and supporting public health.

Review the Data

Planting decisions are guided by a multi-year analysis identifying areas of highest need. This included canopy coverage, pedestrian patterns, infrastructure feasibility, urban heat mapping, and equity indicators, ensuring tree coverage reaches all who live, work, and visit downtown.

2022 Shade Study

Downtown Tree Report

Tree Equity Score Map

Our Approach

EQUITY-DRIVEN:

Targeting high-heat,low-canopy, high-traffic areas

SUSTAINABLE:

Dedicated watering and maintenance to ensure long-term tree health

COMMUNITY-FOCUSED:

Designed for everyone who lives, works, and visits downtown

Meet the Trees Shaping Downtown

Fragrant. Resilient. Unmistakably Texan.

Texas Mountain Laurel

One of the earliest signs of spring in South Texas, the Texas Mountain Laurel announces its arrival with glossy evergreen leaves and unforgettable purple blooms. Flowering from February through April, its scent, often compared to grape bubblegum or grape soda, fills the air and stops people in their tracks. Native to Central Texas and the surrounding region, this drought-tolerant tree thrives in tough conditions, making it a beautiful and resilient choice for urban spaces.

Fast-Growing Shade. Striking Contrast.

Mexican Sycamore

A full-sun, deciduous tree known for its broad, silver-backed leaves and pale, peeling bark—creating a bold, high-contrast look. The Mexican sycamore is a fast-growing shade tree, often more drought-tolerant than its American counterpart.

A true Texas shade tree built to last.

Cedar Elm

The Cedar Elm is a classic Texas workhorse, tall, resilient, and made for creating meaningful shade. Growing into a broad, oval-rounded canopy, this native elm delivers long-term cooling benefits with its dense crown of drooping branches and small, rough-textured dark-green leaves. Its compact foliage and textured bark give it a distinct character, while its size makes it a powerful contributor to reducing heat in open, sun-exposed areas.

A strong, adaptable canopy tree for a changing climate.

Mexican White Oak

The Mexican White Oak is a resilient, long-living tree known for its adaptability and broad, shade-providing canopy. Native to Mexico and parts of Central America, with a small natural presence in South Texas, this oak thrives across a wide range of environments, from dry uplands to riparian corridors. Its semi-evergreen nature allows it to retain foliage longer than many native oaks, offering extended shade and visual interest throughout the year.

Rough Leaves. Soft Blooms. Year-Round Character.

Ehretia Anacua

A small to medium tree known for its textured, sandpaper-like leaves and clusters of bright white flowers that blanket the canopy from spring through summer. Anaqua is a partial evergreen, maintaining greenery year-round while refreshing foliage in early spring.

Progress & Impact

1,000 Trees. One Greener Downtown. By 2035.

Sponsor a Tree

Interested in sponsoring a tree downtown? Or looking to contribute on a larger scale? Please fill out the form below to inquire on how you can make an impact.

Become a be-leaf-er

The Trees Everywhere Project is endorsed by both national and local organizations committed to creating greener spaces.