The New Mexico Tree Alliance, a coalition of environmental organizations and local governments, has put together a list of climate-ready trees for the greater Albuquerque area. These trees are adapted to face current and future conditions. As temperatures rise, we need drought-tolerant, heat-resilient trees.
December is a great time to plant trees since nursery trees grown in the fields are dug up in December when they’re dormant. You’ll also find a better selection of trees that are not dried out and they will suffer less transplant shock. Trees planted in December will have a better time acclimating than those planted during hot weather. Their roots will continue to become established in the winter as long as the ground isn’t frozen.
The Benefits of Trees
Trees provide significant economic, social, communal, and environmental benefits to cities.
Economically, property values of landscaped homes are 5%-20% higher than homes without landscaping. Air conditioning costs are lower in a tree-shaded home. Trees help cool the environment, working as a simple and effective way to reduce urban heat islands.
Socially, trees provide beauty, reduce workplace stress and fatigue and reduce recovery time after medical procedures, studies have shown.
Communally, trees soften, complement and enhance local architecture. Trees bring natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban surroundings, all of which increase the quality of life of residents in the community.
Environmentally, trees’ benefits are numerous. In Albuquerque alone, their leaves filter 366 tons a year of pollution ($1.1 million/year) from the air we breathe and provide 9,710 tons a year of carbon sequestration ($692,000/year) by absorbing carbon dioxide and various air pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide while releasing oxygen. Trees also significantly reduce and clean stormwater runoff by holding rainfall on leaves, branches and bark and by absorbing surface runoff, making the threats of flooding less likely. On a hot, dry summer day, a fully grown tree may release several hundred gallons of water through its leaves. About 90% of the water that enters a plant’s roots is used for this process. When the tree gives off vapor through evapotranspiration it adds humidity to the air, which helps decrease temperatures. Trees also save water when they shade the lawns, shrubs and perennials.
Growing our tree canopy will continue to multiply these benefits, creating a greener, healthier community for everyone- and their benefits far outweigh their meager water requirements.
Treebates
In order to help increase the tree canopy in our urban area, the Water Authority offers Treebates to offset part of the cost of planting a qualifying new low- or medium-water use tree. Treebates can also help cover the costs of tree maintenance. They are available to residential, commercial, institutional and HOA participants. Over 160 qualifying trees are listed in the Water Authority’s Xeriscaping Guide.
- Residential Treebate: When you buy a new tree, you can receive 25% off the purchase (up to $100).
- Commercial, institutional or HOA Treebate: Participants are eligible for 25% rebate up to $500 per fiscal year (which runs from July 1st-June 31st).
- Residential professional tree care: Professional tree care helps keep your trees looking their best year-round and healthy for long-term growth and success. Get a 25% rebate off professional tree care, including pruning, pest management, fertilizing and other services. Up to $100 per fiscal year is available for residential customers. However, tree and stump removals are not included.
- Mulch: One of the best things you can do for the trees on your property is to surround them with mulch. Mulch improves soil over time (as long as you don’t have weed fabric), keeps the soil cooler and allows it to retain more water. The treebate can be used for mulch also, saving you 25% up to $100 per fiscal year on its purchase.
- Irrigation Improvements: Any irrigation improvements, like adding or moving drip emitters as they mature are also covered by the Treebate.
Tree Resources in and around Albuquerque:
- Tree New Mexico: Some 13,549 trees have been planted or given away since 2017! For over 30 years, Tree New Mexico (TNM) has been planting trees in the Land of Enchantment and educating the public on the value and necessity of healthy urban forests. TNM continues to be the premier private, nonprofit tree planting organization in the state, that helps to build a high level of understanding and advocacy for the expansion and maintenance of urban forests. Tree New Mexico is dedicated to helping communities’ plant and care for trees in urban areas — large and small — throughout the state.
- Let’s Plant Albuquerque: The City Of Albuquerque Urban Forestry department has launched the Let’s Plant ABQ initiative. This initiative aims to plant 100,000 trees by 2030 to provide one tree for every child as a gift from one generation to the next. To track these trees, Urban Forestry uses software called Treeplotter for inventorying, planning and growing our urban canopy. Urban Forestry maintains a robust inventory of all trees in city parks where residents are welcome to explore our urban canopy, including ecosystem benefits of our trees. Urban Forestry’s data aids in informed decision making for urban designs and developments. Understanding what we have can help us preserve and enhance our urban forest. You can also add your recently planted tree to the list or take a pledge to plant a tree.
- Think Trees New Mexico: Think Trees is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the education, training and appreciation of trees, arboriculture and horticulture throughout the state. Think Trees New Mexico trains professionals in New Mexico and surrounding regions by hosting an annual conference in Albuquerque. The group has hosted this conference for 40 years with an all-volunteer board of committed tree industry members and supporters. The upcoming conference takes place February 10th and 11th, 2026 find out more here.
New Mexico Tree Stewards
Want to dive even deeper into trees? Become a New Mexico Tree Steward. Facilitated by Tree New Mexico, the Tree Steward Program is an expansive educational opportunity designed for people who love trees, love their community and want to support the healthy growth of both.
Over 14 weeks, you will explore the many facets of urban forestry in a collaborative volunteer training program taught by experts in the field and build relationships with others who appreciate the benefits of a healthy urban forest. Tree Stewards learn to identify our common planted trees and how to care for them.
Tree Stewards are expected to apply what they’ve learned to care for the trees in their neighborhood and educate others to do the same. Tree New Mexico offers many volunteer opportunities for stewards to apply what they have learned. By volunteering, you’ll contribute to growing New Mexico’s tree cover, while benefiting from continuing education — what we know about trees is constantly growing and changing!
Let’s continue to love, depend on and protect the trees that make Albuquerque a truly special place to live.
Learn more here:
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