Frequently Asked Questions/Concerns

While we can never say never, it is not likely. The trees SOUL plants are Louisiana natives, so have been bred through the years to be hurricane resistant and to drink a lot of water. Additionally, tree placement receives careful consideration – SOUL measures for each tree taking into account how wide the canopy will be when the tree is full grown. If many big branches would be hanging over the house or roots threaten a foundation, then a smaller tree variety is chosen. 

Valid concern! Leaves do fall into the road, and it is helpful if residents are able to assist in clearing some of these. But, trees and their leaves also absorb water and slow it from reaching the storm drains in the first place, easing the strain on the drainage system.

SOUL only plants small trees (mature height less than 30ft) below power lines. All species that SOUL plants under power lines have been approved by Entergy. Most power lines are tall enough that if a tree of this size fell while underneath them, just the smaller top branches would brush the lines and not cause a major problem. 

When planning the trees, places where parking obviously occurs often are avoided. However, if room allows, a tree may be placed near these areas with the thought of providing shade for the car in the hot months. If you don’t like the placement of the tree, you can opt out or check with SOUL staff to see if the location can be moved. 

The tree is not likely to crack the sidewalk on its own. It is searching for water and would naturally go to the other side rather than just up. But, if a crack in the sidewalk occurs, the tree root may seek the water and oxygen there and make it worse. 

It will grow! When we plant, the trees are about 2-3 years old – babies. They will fill in and grow up. Many of the trees are deciduous which means they don’t have leaves in the winter. Give the trees til spring to get a little better idea of how they will look, or check out our Native Trees page with examples of our trees.

SOUL specifically plants trees that are low maintenance, and we take care of a lot of the work for you. The trees are planted, watered for the first year, mulched, and straightened when needed. Other than not hitting them with a lawn mower or weed whacker, that is all the care the tree needs. As it grows, if you have concerns about pruning or straightening, reach out to SOUL and to 811. The trees are city property and we can try to make sure that they get on a list to be pruned. 

So don’t! Leave the leaves! Leaves are natural and break down over time, providing nutrients for your lawn or plants, and food for insects and animals. It’s like free fertilizer for your grass. Or, you can rake them near the base of the tree for free mulch. 

To learn about the trees SOUL plants, check out our Native Trees page. To learn more about our work in your neighborhood, look at the communities pages on our website. If your neighborhood isn’t listed, fill out our community interest form – we consider all interest when determining where to plant next. 

If you want to check it out in real life – drive around Gentilly Woods, Pontchartrain Park, the Lower Ninth Ward, Hollygrove, or Algiers Riverview/Whitney. These neighborhoods have all had substantial numbers of trees planted by SOUL using the opt-out method.

That is fine – your neighbors are responsible for their own property and have the right to decline a tree. If you would like a tree, you should have one planted, but ultimately that is up to you. 

If you keep the area well mulched and create a border, you have less area to mow! SOUL mulches the tree at least once, more if funding and time allow. Keeping a pine bark or pine needle mulch  2 – 4 inches deep under the tree’s canopy not only decreases the amount you have to mow, but it protects and nourishes the tree as well. Just make sure the mulch is evenly spread, not higher on the trunk creating a “mulch volcano”. If you really don’t want it, that’s fine, just opt-out before the tree is planted.

Trees do lots of things for us – clean the air, reduce pollution, drink stormwater and improve drainage, reduce subsidence (ground sinking), provide a windbreak in storms (help keep your roof on), slow traffic, improve mental and physical health outcomes, lower crime, and improve property values. Oh, and trees cool down summer temperatures up to 15 degrees, which can help lower energy bills. Imagine that hot summer day – if your street could feel like 85 degrees instead of 100 degrees you might sit on the porch. 

We would love to see more maintenance of city infrastructure, but SOUL is a small non-profit working exclusively in tree planting. While we work with the city to determine tree locations, we have no say in when or how any other infrastructure projects get done.

Any funding that SOUL receives through the City of New Orleans for tree plantings is specifically designated for green infrastructure or tree plantings, and much of our funding is from other sources. Trees and green infrastructure ease the strain on the existing drainage system, help slow the soil subsidence that increases road and sidewalk failure, and lower temperatures in neighborhoods improving the quality of life for residents.

For a few reasons! First, when we plant a lot of trees in one area, the more the benefits are felt. For example: You’re walking down a block shaded with one or two trees – the shade doesn’t do much to cool you. If the block has 10 or even more trees, you can walk in shade most of the time.

Second, with the opt-out method, we remove barriers around remembering to sign up or taking time to coordinate. The resident simply has to call/text/email a “No thank you” and their address if they do not want the tree. 

Third, watering and caring for multiple trees in a condensed area brings the costs down, allowing us to plant more trees overall.

Yes, we do. SOUL attempts to contact homeowners in multiple ways – snail mail, door hangers, and door knocking. We also work to get the word out about the program, so residents will often see yard signs in their area with our information, or see program details on a neighborhood association or councilperson’s newsletter, or a flyer in the area. Owners and residents are instructed that they are able to choose not to have a tree if they inform us before a certain date, and we gladly respect that request.

Answer researched on ASPCA website

1. Hollies – some hollies have been known to give dogs or cats mild gastrointestinal issues if the leaves or berries are consumed. 
2. Magnolias – no major issues. Potential for mild gastrointestinal issues if a large quantity of plant material is consumed.
3. Oaks – if large quantities of acorns are consumed, could cause a problem for the animal, but not a frequently observed problem
4. Maple – not toxic to dogs or cats
5. Bald Cypress – not toxic to dogs or cats

Common landscape plants that are toxic to pets – Sagoe Palms (deathly toxic to dogs), Oleander, Azalea.