Trees for Neighborhoods

Assistance
$200 average annual savings
Application period
7/1/2024 - 7/29/2024
Time to apply
15-20 mins
Processing time
Varies
Age range
All Ages
Apply
Sign Up for 2025 Email Notification
Trees for Neighborhoods

Overview

Since 2009, Trees for Neighborhoods has helped Seattle residents plant over 14,400 trees in their yards and along the street. That's 14,400 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.

In addition to free trees residents can expect to get help selecting the right tree and planting location, planting assistance, and a watering bag, and mulch for each tree. If you are approved for 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.

The 2024 Trees for Neighborhoods application is now closed.

Plant a tree in 2025! Click here to sign up for an email notification in 2025! We will email you in June 2025 with the tree selection options and then again in July 2025 with the program application link. 

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 and 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
  • For those who need physical help planting their tree, assistance may be available on a limited basis.
  • Street tree health evaluations for the first couple of years to let you know how your trees are doing

How much can I save with this program?

With this program, you can expect to save an average of $200 annually.

Eligibility

You are eligible to be considered for free trees if:

  • You are a homeowner or property owner within Seattle city limits, or you have obtained permission from the property owner.
  • You commit to choosing trees appropriate for the space you have.
  • You are willing to attend a planting and care workshop or webinar.
  • You are willing to assume all future maintenance and responsibility (summer watering, raking, pruning, mulching, etc.)
  • You agree to 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.
  • You agree to properly plant trees in the ground (no pots!)
  • You have not already received the maximum of 6 trees per household.

How to Apply

Steps to Receiving a New Tree:

  1. Evaluate your planting site and tree choices. Read the 2024 tree options page to help you select the tree best suited for the space. When reviewing tree choices, please pay attention to the mature size of the tree and their need for sun. Select trees that will have room to grow to maturity. If you have space, plant a larger tree to get the greatest benefits for your neighborhood. 

    Want help deciding the right tree for you space? 

    • Planting in a yard space? Choose the largest tree appropriate for your site.
    • Under power lines? Select a power line approved tree.
    • Check out the 2024 Right Tree, Right Place webinar for quick help in evaluating your site.
    • 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.
    • See our FAQ for Tree species questions
    • Trees for Neighborhoods is a popular program. Some trees are more popular than others. Small trees are the most popular. To increase your chances of receiving a tree, consider planting a larger tree if space allows.

  2. Plant a tree in 2025! The 2024 Trees for Neighborhoods application has closed. Click here to sign up for an email notification in 2025. We will email you in June 2025 with the tree selection options and again in July 2025 with the program application link. 

    Applications are accepted each year from July - August. 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 in early August. If trees are still avaliable after the first application period, a second application period may be added in mid-August. 

    If you are not immediately approved for a tree, you will be placed on a waitlist.

    See our FAQ on Application questions.

  3. 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. Please see the 2024 workshop dates and locations below:
    September 21: Phinney Neighborhood Center, 10 AM- 3 PM
    September 22: Rainier Beach Community Center, 11 AM- 4 PM
    September 28: Center for Urban Horticulture, 10 AM- 3 PM
    September 29: South Seattle College, 10 AM- 3 PM

      4. See our FAQ about the workshop.

Planting and Care

Steps to planting a new tree:

Need assistance planting your new tree? We offer planting help to participants who need physical assistance. Call (206) 327-2434 or email TreesforNeighborhoods@seattle.gov for information. This service is performed by volunteers and is limited by volunteer availability.

FAQs

Application and Tree Selection

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.

Also see our complete FAQ on Application questions.

Below are the dates for the 2024 process.

July 1: Application is open
July 10: Right Tree, Right Place Zoom Webinar, 7-8 PM
July 13: Right Tree, Right Place Zoom Webinar, 10-11 AM
July 29: Application closes

August 2: Application Re-opens with remaining trees.
September 21: Tree Planting and Care Workshop - Phinney Neighborhood Center, 10 AM- 3 PM
September 22: Tree Planting and Care Workshop - Rainier Beach Community Center, 11 AM- 4 PM
September 28: Tree Planting and Care Workshop - Center for Urban Horticulture, 10 AM- 3 PM
September 29: Tree Planting and Care Workshop - South Seattle College, 10 AM- 3 PM

October 1: Tree delivery begins

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.    

Also see our complete FAQ on Tree species questions.

Location and Property Ownership

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.

See our complete FAQ of Street tree and utility questions

Delivery, Planting, and Care

  • 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.
  • Also see our complete FAQ on Planting and follow-up care questions

  • 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.