About the West Lafayette Tree Friends

Dedicated to growing
and protecting our urban forest.

Learn More About What We Do

The West Lafayette Tree Friends were founded in 1981 with the adoption of the original West Lafayette Landscape Ordinance↗. We are citizens who care about making West Lafayette greener! View the 2024 Annual Report↗.

Who We Are

The West Lafayette Tree Friends are a volunteer organization that aims to create and sustain economic, environmental, and physical and mental health benefits in our West Lafayette community through planting and nurturing trees in our public right-of-ways.

West Lafayette Tree Friends is led by an elected Executive Committee. Elections are held on a rotating schedule:

Odd-numbered years: Chair, Vice-Chair, and Member-at-Large
Even-numbered years: Secretary and Treasurer

We also maintain two standing committees—Fundraising and Communications—with chairs appointed by the Tree Friends Chair. These roles continue indefinitely.

Our Mission

Our primary mission is to plant trees and implement landscaping projects in the public right-of-way. We work in cooperation with property owners to enhance the beauty of the streets of West Lafayette. Additionally, we complete one or two large planting projects each year. All Tree Friends initiatives are financed by private donations which are augmented by matching grants when available.

How We Do It

Seasonal Pruning: Regular street tree pruning keeps sidewalks and roads clear and safe.
Operation Re-Leaf: In partnership with the City's Greenspaces Division, we aid in an annual tree planting program. View Operation Releaf 2025 Application↗
Arbor Day Celebration: Held each April, this celebration allows us to
Funding: Our work is supported by private donations, often matched by grants when available.

In 2021, we came together to discuss the future and where we want to go. Together, we developed our first strategic plan to guide us to better plant, prune, and protect our urban forest. View our strategic plan↗.

Join Us

The West Lafayette Tree Friends meet on the second Tuesday of every month for Tree Friends business. These monthly meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome. Committees for the organization meet throughout the month. Come join the fun and make an impact in West Lafayette! View meeting agendas↗.

Where: Margerum City Hall, in the Bean Room, located at 222 N. Chauncey Avenue, West Lafayette IN 47906.

When: 12:00 p.m.