Miami-Dade County, long known for its famous beaches and warm winters, is surprisingly lacking in any significant tree cover. A 1996 tree cover analysis by the non-profit group American Forests showed that Miami-Dade's urban areas averaged only 10% tree cover.

DERM was alarmed at the additional loss in shade trees caused by the removal of citrus canker impacted trees and petitioned the State Department of Agriculture for money to begin restoring the communal loss of additional shade.

The Adopt-a-Tree Program resulted from the input of community groups, agricultural interests, and government agencies seeking to heal from this loss. The program is working to foster a heightened awareness of the value of shade trees here in Miami-Dade County.

The program is designed to strengthen the condition of our community's tree canopy. Therefore, the trees selected for "adoption" are ones that make good shade trees in their adulthood. The program provides both native "ornamental" shade trees and a variety of non-citrus fruit trees.

• See additional information on the Adopt-a-Tree Program.