Volunteer With TreesUpstate

Volunteer Opportunities

It’s Tree Planting Season!

Sign up through our volunteer platform. Once you’re registered, keep an eye out for an email with event details the week of your shift!

Questions? Contact Hannah at hannah@treesupstate.org.

Register Here: Volunteer Registration Form

New to our volunteer portal? Read the Volunteer Portal Guide

Fall 2026 Tree Plantings

September 9th- October 31st; “Reforest Along the River” Plantings (Greenville)
Saturday, October 10th; 9am-12pm; Pine Street Elementary School, Sponsored in part by Noble Tree Foundation (Spartanburg)
Saturday, October 24th; 9am-12pm; Travelers Rest
Saturday, November 7th; 9am-12pm; Riverbend Athletic Complex, Sponsored by BMW (Woodruff)
Friday, November 20th; 9am-12pm; Spartanburg High School, Sponsored in part by Noble Tree Foundation
Saturday, November 21st; 9am-12pm; Saddlebrook Farm neighborhood, Sponsored by Greer CPW (Greer)
Saturday, December 5th; 9am-12pm; Mary H. Wright Greenway, Sponsored by PAL (Spartanburg)

Fall 2026 Tree Unloadings

Tuesday, September 29th; 9am-11am; ReWa (Greenville)

Fall 2026 Turkey Day Race

Are you an energetic outdoor enthusiast looking for a way to give back? TreesUpstate’s 18th Annual Turkey Day Run needs you!

The largest race in the Upstate has numerous exciting and fast-paced opportunities available on the days leading up to the race and on Thanksgiving morning. Each volunteer receives a free race registration and a Turkey Day Run t-shirt. Click here to view all open volunteer slots and sign-up today!

Thank you to Novant Health for its generous sponsorship of the TreesUpstate Turkey Day Run race volunteers.

Register Here: Turkey Day 8K Volunteer Registration

TreesUpstate volunteers have helped plant over 13,000 trees in parks, schools, and neighborhoods throughout Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. We plant trees most Saturday mornings from October through March.

Become a Volunteer Leader

Apply here to become a volunteer leader for our events- work behind the scenes with us to manage quality control, assist in tree planting demos, and bring the fun! We recommend volunteering with us 5+ times OR taking our community tree keeper class before you apply to be a volunteer leader.

Corporate Sponsored Plantings & Volunteer Events

TreesUpstate has partnered with many of our Corporate Partners on Corporate Volunteer Events. These include: Michelin N.A., TD Bank N.A., GE Energy, Sage Automotive Interiors, Johnson Controls, Scansource, and Duke Energy. To plan a Corporate Volunteer Event, please call or email Mandy Oglesby (864-604-1668 / moglesby@treesupstate.org). Our planting season is October–March, but we offer mulching and pruning projects year-round.

Volunteer Opportunities for Groups

TreesUpstate works with groups of all sizes. Your group is always welcome to register individually for a pre-scheduled project listed above. Contact us if you’d like to schedule a special volunteer event. Our planting season is October – March, but we offer limited mulching and pruning projects throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register?

Yes, registration is requested! It helps us coordinate the event. However, walk-up registration is accepted.

Are volunteer events rain or shine?

Yes, we plant in the rain, snow, or shine. However, in extreme weather (lightning, road closures, etc.), we will cancel with registered volunteers by email.

Can students volunteer to earn services hours for school/class?

Yes. If you try to register for something that doesn’t have any more “tickets” left, email us at hannah@treesupstate.org. Students are always welcome. Someone will be there to fill out your paperwork.

What do volunteers do at the tree plantings?

We start every tree planting with a tree planting demonstration. Volunteers learn the proper way to plant a tree through the International Society of Arboriculture. Prepare to dig holes with shovels and pickaxes, remove circling roots from the root ball with a saw, fill wheelbarrows with mulch, and carry buckets of water. If it rains close to or during the planting, expect to get muddy. Volunteers typically work in groups of 2-4.

Are the plantings family-friendly?

Yes! We love to see volunteers of all ages. Check the event description for any comments on safety or age requirements.

Do I need to bring anything?

Make sure to wear closed-toed shoes for tree planting and tree care events! If you have been prescribed an EpiPen for insect stings and bites, or an inhaler, please bring those. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

Do I need to bring tools and gloves?

TreesUpstate provides tools and gloves for everyone. We have kid-sized shovels and a limited number of kids’ gloves. If you bring your own tools (or your kids bring theirs), make sure they are clearly marked with your name.

Will there be snacks and drinks?

We strongly encourage you to bring water and a snack. We do our best to bring donuts to Saturday morning tree-planting activities as our special way to say thank you.

Will I get a t-shirt?

If you volunteer for TreesUpstate’s Energy Saving Tree Giveaway or the Turkey Day Race, you get a shirt. After you plant five times, you earn a TreesUpstate Volunteer shirt. Contact us to get your shirt if you’ve volunteered at five tree plantings!