HomeNewsroomSocial responsibilityClayton® and the Arbor Day Foundation: Building a Better Tomorrow, One Tree at a Time

Clayton® and the Arbor Day Foundation: Building a Better Tomorrow, One Tree at a Time

April 6, 20264 min read

By the end of 2025, Clayton will plant over 5.5 million native species trees

Clayton strives to be a force for good in the world through our social responsibility efforts. This includes building a better, more sustainable tomorrow for both people and the planet through strategic national philanthropic partnerships.

In 2022, Clayton and the Arbor Day Foundation launched a partnership to plant trees in critical forests across the country as part of reforestation efforts. The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit with the mission "to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees." Since its foundation in 1972, they have planted more than half a billion trees in 60 countries, creating a lasting, global impact by fostering environmental stewardship.

Clayton has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant over 5.5 million native species trees by the end of 2025, supporting 36 reforestation projects and helping restore over 12,000 acres of forest land. This included planting 1.07 million trees in 2025, representing one tree for every estimated tree used to build our homes in 2024. And in 2026, we will continue that commitment to plant one tree for every tree we use by planting 1.04 million trees in 12 states.

Clayton was also the first home builder to join the Arbor Day Foundation’s Evergreen Alliance, a collective of engaged corporate sustainability leaders that will help shape the future through the power of trees.

The Importance of Trees

Clayton and the Arbor Day Foundation recognize the vital role forests play for both our environment and the communities where we live and work. Trees improve air quality, filter water, strengthen soil and create stable habitats for many wildlife species, all of which restore ecosystems and foster greater biodiversity.

Planting Our 5 Millionth Tree

In September 2025, Clayton celebrated the planting of our 5 millionth tree. To mark this milestone, we planted a white oak at our home office in Maryville, TN. Arbor Day Foundation CEO Dan Lambe, Clayton CEO Kevin Clayton, other leadership and Clayton team members attended the event to celebrate this achievement.

"At Clayton, we are committed to being a force for good by investing in the communities we live in and the planet we all share," said Kevin Clayton. "This important milestone shows how collaboration and authentic partnerships can help us scale impact with trusted organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation."

Partnership Impact

Throughout 2026, Clayton will support reforestation projects in the following areas, in coordination with the Arbor Day Foundation and their planting partners:

Gulf Coast Restoration: Work is focused on bottomland hardwood, upland longleaf pine and pine forest restoration throughout the Gulf Coast. These areas have been significantly affected by hurricanes, wildfires, coastal flooding, land use change and increased development.

Forest Restoration Across North Carolina Game Lands: Across 11 properties, a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees are being planted, including longleaf pine, Atlantic white cedar, loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, pond cypress, bald cypress, button bush and hickory.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reforestation Project: This forested Native American tribal land in Oregon has been actively managed by the Confederate Tribes of Warm Springs since the 1940s. Unfortunately, wildfires have left the region in need of restoration. Replanting efforts are underway with a focus on restoring the evergreen tree canopy to the land.

Mined Land Restoration Across West Virginia: Work will restore native forests on lands disturbed by surface coal mining in the central Appalachian region. This project will address priority goals associated with the White Oak Initiative and the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative by restoring declining forest types.

Arkansas Shortleaf Pine Restoration: Native shortleaf pine in Southern Arkansas has been replaced by a monoculture of loblolly pine plantations. Timber management techniques, prescribed fire, and targeted tree plantings will help restore balance and improve habitat for native plants and animals.

Dixon Memorial State Forest: Efforts in Georgia will focus on enhancing the native ecosystem while also replacing trees that have succumbed to drought. This will provide soil stability, improve water quality, enrich recreational forest use, and support a number of wildlife species, including the gopher tortoise and the Florida black bear.

Chippewa National Forest: Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota has faced issues in recent history, including strong wind events, and insects and disease that have affected trees. Replanting efforts will reestablish native tree species, provide essential habitat for area wildlife including the American bald eagle, and improve resilience to climate change.

Mark Twain National Forest: Due in large part to overharvesting, only about 8 percent of Missouri’s shortleaf pine forests in the Ozarks remain today. This project will replant shortleaf pines to restore native vegetation, strengthen biodiversity and ecological balance, and provide habitat connectivity for wildlife.

Pennsylvania State Game Lands: The planting of native conifer, hardwood and shrub species will increase forest resiliency and replace trees destroyed by storms, ice or disease. These trees also add stability to stream banks and organic material to stream habitats for trout, helping prevent flash flooding,and provide habitats for native wildlife, including many bird species.

Durand Wildlife Management Area: Between crops and urban development, there is a need in West Tennessee to maintain forested cover. It supports wildlife species such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, neotropical migrant birds, and dozens of small mammals. This public land site outside of Jackson also benefits hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Western Washington Reforestation Projects for Forest Health and Wildlife Habitat: Past forestry management practices, disease, and insect infestations have left some of Washington’s public lands in need of restoration. Efforts will be focused on improving habitat for the endangered northern spotted owl, and ensuring healthy and diverse mixed-species tree stands.

Douglas County Forest: This forest spans more than 278,000 acres and efforts will help to protect the rare wildlife of Northwest Sands Ecological Landscape while also supporting the health of the Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers Watershed.

Our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation helps Clayton fulfill its purpose of opening doors to a better life, which extends beyond the homes we build to the planet we all call home. Our ongoing commitment to social responsibility and a more sustainable future includes incorporating responsible building practices, delivering energy-efficient housing and impactful philanthropic partnerships.

Learn more about Clayton's key initiatives, partnerships, and milestones on our Newsroom.