Trees For Neighborhoods
Since 2009, Trees for Neighborhoods has helped Seattle residents plant over 13,400 trees in their yards and along the street. That's 13,400 more trees working to clean our air and water, cool sidewalks and homes, and make our neighborhoods healthier! See where we have planted trees together.
Plant a Tree in 2023!
The Trees for Neighborhoods application is now closed. Click on the link below to sign up for email notification in 2023. We will then email you in June 2023 with the tree selection and then again in July with the application link.
2023 Trees for Neighborhoods Email Notification
When you participate in Trees for Neighborhoods, you receive:
- Free trees (up to 3 per household, lifetime max of 6)
- Help selecting the right tree and planting location
- A watering bag & mulch for each tree
- Training on proper planting and care
- Assistance applying for street tree planting permits
- Ongoing care reminders and future pruning workshop opportunities
- Assistance planting your tree (for those who need physical assistance on a limited basis due to availability)
- Street tree health evaluations for the first couple of years to let you know how your trees are doing
Steps to Planting a New Tree:
- Evaluate your planting site and tree choices. Read the tree selection page to help you select the tree best suited for the space.
Planting in a yard space? Choose the largest tree appropriate for your site.
Under power lines? Select a power line approved tree.
When reviewing tree choices, pay attention to the mature size of the trees and their need for sun. Select trees that will have room to grow to maturity. If you have space, plant a large tree to get the greatest benefits for your neighborhood.
Want help deciding the right tree for your space? Watch a video presentation of our Right Tree, Right Place Webinar. This will help you make the best decision about where to plant your tree.
- Apply for trees through the online application. Our tree list changes every year; check out our lists from past years here.
The application typically opens in mid July. - Attend a planting workshop to learn about proper planting and care.
- Plant and mulch your new trees: fall is the best time to plant a tree in Seattle so your new tree can settle in before the hot dry summer months. All Trees for Neighborhood trees will be picked up or delivered in the fall. For an in depth "how to" on planting and caring for your new tree, check out this video of our Planting and Care Webinar.
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Need assistance planting your new tree? We offer planting help to participants who need physical assistance. Call (206) 684-3979 or email TreesforNeighborhoods@seattle.gov for information. This service is performed by volunteers and is limited by volunteer availability.
Important 2023 Dates
July 10: Application is open
August 7: Application closes
Your Responsibilities
- Choose trees appropriate for the space
- On your application, indicate if the tree will be planted in your yard or along the street (trees in unimproved right of ways are street trees).
- Attend a planting and care workshop or webinar.
- Only plant trees in approved locations- trees must be planted at the address on the application. Street trees must be planted in approved and marked locations.
- Properly plant trees in the ground (no pots!)
- Assume all future maintenance & responsibility (summer watering, raking, pruning, mulching, etc.)
Application Information
Trees for Neighborhoods is a popular program and some trees are more popular than others. Small trees are the most popular. When we receive more applications than we have trees available, applications are chosen at random. To increase your chances of receiving a tree, consider planting a larger tree if space allows. If you are not immediately approved for a tree, you will be placed on a waitlist.
How will I know if my application is approved?
After the application closes, Trees for Seattle will begin processing applications. You will receive an email with the status of your tree application once all applications are processed.
How does random selection work?
All applications received will be assigned a random number once the application closes. Trees for Seattle staff process applications in order by this random number. An entire application order will be processed at once, however only trees still available will be marked as "Approved". Trees will be distributed until sold out. Once a species is sold out, requests will be added to a waitlist in the same sequential order and marked on the application as "Waitlist". As trees become available for the waitlist, they will be distributed in order of the position on the waitlist. If you are "Waitlisted" for a tree, it is possible that you can become "Approved" for that tree as late as October or November.
Can I submit more than one application to improve my chances?
No, you may only submit one application per household. We will only process the first application we receive from your address. Since we will process the entire application at once, it does not benefit you to submit more than one. If you submit your application and would like to make a change before the application closing date, please contact us and we will make that change on your behalf.
Attention renters! If you do not own your home, you need to ask the permission of the homeowner before applying for trees. Young trees need regular summer watering through their first five years. If you do not plan to be at your home that long, consider how the young tree will receive the proper care it needs.
Attention landlords! If you apply for trees for one of your rental properties, please consider future watering and maintenance. If you are unable to water the trees 2x/week during the summer months, please be sure your renter is willing.
More Program Information
- The trees will be in 5, 7, or 10 gallon containers and are generally 5-7 feet tall.
- All trees should be planted within 2-4 weeks after receiving them. You are responsible for planting the tree, which is why we require each participant to go through a Planting and Care workshop or webinar. If you are physically unable to plant your tree and would like assistance, please contact us.
- Your young trees will not survive the dry summer without watering. Water bags will be provided to help you care for your trees in the summer. For more tips about caring for your young tree, click here.
Contact Us
Email: TreesForNeighborhoods@Seattle.gov
Call: (206) 684-3979