To continue to grow the urban canopy, the City of Sarasota is supporting a community-driven pilot program offering an incentive up to $500 for residents who plant and maintain a mature tree within program guidelines.  Residents will own the tree and are required to invest $100. Homeowners will purchase the tree and will be required to water, prune and maintain it.  The program focuses on planting mature canopy and understory trees with a minimum 2-inch caliper.  Planting is limited to the right of way or within ten feet of the right of way. Participants can select from over two dozen approved species, from pink tabebuia to shady lady to live oak.  A complete list of approved trees and program details are available in the Mature Tree Canopy Pilot Program Guidelines. Once the planting is verified by City staff, the City will reimburse the resident up to $500.  In addition to beautifying the community, trees provide significant benefits including saving energy, cleaning stormwater runoff, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cleaning the air, lowering the urban heat island effect, providing wildlife habitat and improving overall health and well-being for people.Sarasota resident Lou Costa, a retired principal engineer, volunteered his time to administer the initiative. Residents interested in participating in the program should contact Lou Costa:  LouCosta1000@aol.com