A decade ago, Jean and Jim Scharfenberg, lifelong Arvada residents, began volunteering with environmental programs in the Denver-Metro area, and after a chance phone call, they decided to build a program designed to help bloom and beautify the city of Arvada.

“We used to volunteer with Denver Digs, and it made sense to do it in our own community,” said Jim, describing the early days of now established program, Trees Across Arvada.

Trees Across Arvada, a program stemming from the Colorado Tree Coalition, offers residents throughout Arvada and the neighboring communities a chance to purchase drought-resistant shade trees at a reduced price.

Every fall, the Scharfenbergs create a list of 12 trees, six small and six large trees ranging from $25 to $85, which have a variety of desired aspects including vibrant colors, flowering trees, and popular favorites to sell that year, in hopes of beautifying the city.

“We wanted to get more trees in the community,” Jean said, “It’s making Arvada prettier and better and makes such a difference in the environment.”

Trees on the list this year include: bur oak, Chanticleer Pear, China Snow Tree Lilac, Fastigate European Hornbeam, Hot Wings Tatarian Maple, Kentucky Coffeetree, London Planetree, Pacific Sunset Maple, redbud, Skyline Honeylocust and the Spring Snow Crabapple. All ash trees were removed due to the Emerald Ash Borer threat.

Since the program’s inception in 2003, the Scharfenbergs have sold nearly 3,000 trees, and said they are hoping to sell around 200 more this season.

Tree pickup will be in mid-April at the Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St. Free planting instructions by master gardeners and extra mulch will be available upon pickup.

“When the trees come off the truck we just stand there and say ‘look at those trees!’ — it’s just beautiful,” Jean said.

To order a tree, call 303-421-3206 or email arvadatrees@comcast.net for information on the available trees. Orders are due by Dec. 20 and must include the full payment.