NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's forestry division is now accepting proposals for urban tree planting projects.

Local governments, private non-profit organizations, and educational institutions have until June 1 to apply for urban tree planting funds under the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, a Division of Forestry news release said Tuesday.

The program encourages local governments to increase and improve city tree populations. Officials say the program offers cost sharing for tree planting on public property, rights-of-way, and private non-profit land.

Program funds cover half the cost of trees and shipping, contracted planting, mulch and other materials, the news release said.

Urban forestry funds can also be used for tree planting on private property, but only in areas within a 35-foot (11-meter) zone extending outward from the edge of a river, stream, or creek bank, officials said.

Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher said the tree-planting grants "increase the urban forest canopy by assisting municipalities with planting Tennessee-grown trees."