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:: Tree Power Residential Shade Tree Program
Tree Power FREE shade tree promotion now underway! Click here for details.
Tree Power is a public benefit program that offers electric customers a rebate for planting selected shade trees in certain locations around their home to help save on summer cooling costs.

Planting shade trees around your property can reduce the amount of energy you will use for cooling in the summer, yet they shed their leaves to let in the sun's warming rays in winter.

Estimates are that well-placed trees around a structure can reduce air conditioning or cooling costs by as much as 20 percent. In addition to their energy saving benefits, trees serve a variety of worthwhile functions:

  • Save energy
  • Clean the air
  • Reduce noise
  • Provide privacy
  • Prevent soil erosion
  • Beautify the environment
What Are the Tree Power Program Benefits?

Riverside Public Utilities will issue a bill credit for the purchase of up to five qualifying shade trees per year. Maximum rebate amount per tree is $25. However, the rebate will not exceed the purchase price of the tree.  

Sales tax, installation, delivery or associated costs will not be considered part of the total purchase price.

Tree Power Program Qualifying Trees
  • Chinese Flame
  • Chinese Hackberry
  • Desert Willow
  • Chinese Pistache
  • Bradford Pear
  • Goldenrain
  • Liquidambar
  • Sawleaf Zelkova
  • Jacaranda
  • Chinese Evergreen Elm
  • Western Catalpa
  • Fruit Trees
  • Raywood Ash
  • Tulip Tree
  • Redbud (Eastern or Oklahoma)
  • Pink Trumpet Tree
  • Majestic Beauty
Water Wise Trees
Waterdrop

Crape Myrtle

Waterdrop Silk Tree
Waterdrop London Plane
   
(Dwarf and palm trees do not qualify)
* Additional trees may qualify. Please call (951) 826-5485 for details.

For complete information on tree species, please visit the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute where you can find valuable information on many species of shade trees. 

(Riverside Public Utilities does not guarantee the accuracy of the data and information derived from the UFEI web site.  This link is provided for informational purposes only.)

What Do I Need to Do?

Complete the Tree Power Rebate Application including all applicable receipts and mail to:
Riverside Public Utilities Programs & Services
3900 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92522

Tree Power Program Guidelines
  • Customers must fulfill all program guidelines, program specific and general RPU program guidelines, to be eligible for incentives.
  • The level of incentive is $25 per tree for the purchase of up to five qualifying trees per electric account, per calendar year. Rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the tree.
  • Only specific species of trees qualify for this program. Trees are subject to approval by RPU.
  • Qualifying trees must be purchased from a City of Riverside merchant, and planted within 14 days of purchase at customer's service address.
  • Before planting, customer must contact the Underground Service Alert of Southern California or DigAlert at 1-800-227-2600.
  • Trees must be planted within 10 to 35 feet of the foundation on the customer's own property to achieve maximum energy efficiency without negatively impacting any dwelling, business, underground pipes, utility lines or solar power access.
  • Customers cannot plant trees on areas considered city property.
  • Planted trees are subject to inspection. Customer must allow RPU access to their property to inspect the tree(s).
  • Customer must sign liability agreement and agree to the long-term care of the tree.
  • All General Program Guidelines apply. .

Riverside Public Utilities reserves the right to determine eligibility, modify or discontinue this program without prior notice at its discretion. Program is subject to fund availability.