Did you know that you can save as much as 20 percent on your summer cooling bills just by planting shade trees at key points around your house? You can!

And Trico makes it easy. Through the Operation Cool Shade program, you can purchase up to three low-cost, desert-tolerant trees to shade your home.

Trico offers five tree varieties. The trees are 5 gallons in size and cost $11 each.  Each Trico Member can buy up to three trees. (Sorry, we can’t offer additional trees to Members with multiple accounts.) Click on the tree at left to be directed to our Tree Store!

Trico offers the Operation Cool Shade program in cooperation with The University of Arizona’s Pima County Extension Master Gardeners program. The Master Gardeners will be on-site on Tree Pick-up Day to answer any questions you may have. The Master Gardeners will also hold free tree-care classes. Attend one and get a $5 discount on the trees you purchase! (Discount is applied to your electric bill.)

Tree Class Schedule:

• Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. @ Trico, 8600 W, Tangerine Rd., Marana, AZ 85658
• Wednesday, Oct. 6, 6 p.m. @ Trico
• Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m. @ Trico
• Saturday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m. @ Sahuarita District Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Rd.

Tree Pick-Up Day:

• Saturday, November 6, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Trico, 8600 W. Tangerine Rd., Marana, AZ, 85658.

You must pick up your trees on Tree Pick-Up Day. All trees remaining after Tree Pick-up Day will be donated to local community groups. There are no refunds.

Questions? Call 744-2944, x 1605, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it