How-To Guide:
Tree Planters
Trees are a defining feature of a community. They are vital to residents’ health and provide numerous benefits, including reduced urban heat; increased pedestrian and economic activity for small businesses; improved food security, enhanced mental and physical health, and; reduced violence. Despite the need for trees, many urban neighborhoods lack access to trees and other green canopies. These neighborhoods tend to be hotter and more uncomfortable to walk, bike, or drive through. For example, as a partial consequence of the lack of street trees, Kalihi has seen temperatures exceeding 100F.
A tree planter box with attached seating is a creative way to provide greenery and seating amenities. Tree plants boxes are typically large (2 to 3 feet on each side) with attached ledges that allow the public to sit, relax and enjoy. Tree planter boxes are installations that can be in place for a period ranging from several hours to several years.
Tree planter boxes offer numerous community benefits, including:
Increasing public space – Tree planter boxes with seating provide a place for people to sit, relax, and enjoy.
Reduce urban heat – Tree planter boxes can provide a space for trees where it is not feasible to plant a tree to help increase shade and reduce the urban heat island effect.
Foster social life – Tree planter boxes enhance our communities by creating welcoming spaces for people to meet old friends and make new ones.
Potential Spaces for Tree Planters:
Community recreational spaces
Fronting libraries and schools
Public plazas
Parks
Along large public right-of-way sidewalks or walkways
Key Steps:
Develop a tree planter design – Based on the selected tree species, design a tree planter box with attached seating. This should be done in consultation with a professional carpenter. Examples of these tree planter boxes are showcased at the bottom of this guide.
Receive approval – If the desired location is on public property, you must contact the appropriate agency, and if the location is on private property, contact the property/land owner.
Secure funding – Determine the cost of building and maintaining the tree planter box, seek funding from local businesses, foundations, and government agencies, or consider a crowd-sourcing campaign through platforms such as ioby.org. The Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program also regularly offers seed funding for tree-planting projects.
Build and paint the tree planter box – Once funding is secured, work with a carpenter to build the desired tree planter box with attached seating. If the tree planter box was envisioned to have a mural, work with a local artist to paint the box.
Install the tree planter box – After the planter box has been built and painted, organize volunteers to install it. It is likely that a truck will be needed for transport and positioning to the desired location.
Maintain the tree planter box – Water, prune, and weed as needed. During and after the initial planting, routine watering is typically required (usually on a daily basis). Research the specific sunlight/water requirements for the selected tree. You may also consider consulting an arborist to understand the tree’s needs better.
Celebrate and share the tree planter box!
Design Considerations:
ADA Accessibility – Tree planter boxes sited in public spaces should always consider ADA accessibility. Generally, this means at least 3 ft of clearance space for pedestrians.
Location – Tree planter boxes located in dry environments should be more drought tolerant, and boxes in wet environments should require less sunlight.
Native and non-invasive plant species – Invasive trees and plant species should be avoided. Native species have environmental benefits and also reduce maintenance demand.*
Reclaimed and donated materials – Whenever possible, use reclaimed or donated materials to build tree planter boxes. This lowers the project cost and is also more environmentally sustainable. Residents on Oahu and Hawaii Island can visit Re-Use Hawaii for reclaimed lumber and building materials.
*Visit www.plantpono.org to learn what plants are most at-risk for becoming invasive in Hawaii.
Costs and Needed Resources:
The cost to design, build, and install a tree planter with attached seating could range from $1,500 to $2,500.
Resources needed for this effort include:
Applicant’s time to identify an appropriate site, receive approval, and develop a tree planter box design
Trees and ground cover from local nurseries
Soil, compost, shovels, and other supplies/materials to support initial planting and maintenance
Lumber and other materials to build and install the tree planter box
Carpenters’ time to build and install the tree planter box
Time and energy for initial planting and regular garden maintenance
Artist fees (if the tree planter box is painted)
