Trees For Neighborhoods
2023 UPDATE
If you are approved for a tree(s), you will be required to attend a virtual workshop for planting and care training. We will deliver the tree(s) to your home after the workshop is completed.
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.
2023 tree options
The 2023 Trees for Neighborhoods application is now closed. We have found homes for all of the trees.
Plant a tree in 2024!
Click on the link below to sign up foir email notification in 2024. We will email you in June 2024 with the tree selection and then again in July 2024 with the application link.
The 2024 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 2023 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 online. Applications will be accepted from July 10th through August 7th. As long as you apply within the timeframe, there is no benefit to submitting your application early. All applications will be processed and the applicants notified of their status after the application closes on August 7th. If there are more requests for a given species than we have trees available, recipients will be randomly selected. If trees are still available after the first application period, a second application period may be added in mid-August.
- Attend a planting workshop to learn about proper planting and care. On your application, choose one of the four workshops that is easiest for you to get to. We will deliver the trees to your home after all the workshops are complete.
- 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 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.
-
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
July 15: Right Tree, Right Place Zoom Webinar, 10-11 am
July 18: Right Tree, Right Place Zoom Webinar, 7-8 pm
August 7: Application closes
August 9: Application Re-opens with remaining trees.
September 23: Tree Planting and Care Workshop - Meadowbrook Community Center, 10 am-2 pm
September 24: Tree Planting and Care Workshop - Rainier Beach Community Center, 10 am-2 pm
September 30: Tree Planting and Care Workshop - South Seattle College, 10 am-2 pm
October 1: Tree Planting and Care Workshop - Bitterlake Community Center, 10 am-2 pm
October 2nd: Tree delivery begins
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 tree 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 weighted lottery selection work?
The City of Seattle is committed to increasing the amount of canopy cover city-wide and in order to do this, the City must increase canopy in low canopy neighborhoods first and foremost. Most of these neighborhoods overlap with Environmental Justice Priority Areas. Trees for Neighborhoods selection will use a weighted lottery, meaning applications from low canopy neighborhoods will be more likely to receive trees in order to fulfill this commitment. 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 specific type of tree 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.
Tree Delivery Information
- You will no longer have to pick up your trees. We will deliver the trees to your home. You must attend a Planting and Care event to get delivery of your tree(s). Indicate which workshop you will attend on the application to get delivery of your tree(s).
- On the application, please describe where on your property our staff should leave your tree(s), water bag(s), and mulch, e.g., north side of garage, next to front porch steps, inside front yard gate, etc.
- It may take up to a month or more for us to deliver all the trees to your homes. The trees will be in 5, 7, or 10 gallon containers and are generally 4-6 feet tall.
- All trees should be planted within 1-2 months after receiving them. You are responsible for planting the tree, which is why we require each participant to go through the Planting and Care training. 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