Not only are trees aesthetically pleasing, they also increase property value, provide cooling shade to your home's interior and exterior, remove pollutants from the air, reduce stormwater runoff and improve the environment for a sustainable future.

Through Green Shade, you can receive a $50 rebate per tree when you buy a qualified tree and plant it in the right place to save on your energy bill.

Trees planted on the west, south and east sides of your home or building provide shade from the sun during the hottest times of the day, reducing the load on your air conditioning system. Shading from trees can reduce surrounding air temperatures as much as 9° F. This helps reduce the burden on your air-conditioning system, which helps you save energy.  According to a study by the Houston Advanced Research Center, a mature medium or large tree planted within 10 to 30 feet of a building on the west, south or east side can save a home approximately 381 kWh per year, or roughly $37 per year, in energy savings.

A maximum of three rebates are allowed per physical address. Customers who received all three rebates during the previous planting season are not eligible to receive additional rebates this season. Rebates are available for trees purchased October 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012.

If drought conditions continue, Green Shade rebates may be suspended or terminated prematurely.

This program is brought to you by the City of San Antonio and CPS Energy. It is funded, in part, by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Energy. Rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.