Trees for Neighborhoods

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.  

This is an annual program and the 2023 Trees for Neighborhoods application is now closed. This year’s program will open in summer 2024.

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

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.

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.
   
   
   • Planting in a yard space? Choose the largest tree appropriate for your site.
   • Under power lines? Select a power line approved tree.
   • 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. Apply online. Applications will be accepted from early July through early 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 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.
   
   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.
   
   
4. See our FAQ about the workshop.

Steps to planting a new tree:

• Plant 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.
• Mulch your new trees:Mulching provides numerous benefits to help your trees thrive and survive.
• Does your new tree need staking? In most cases they don't. Check out our staking page to learn more about this.
• After the first year in the ground, you will want to start training your tree to have good structure and form. Check out our pruning page to learn more. 
• See our FAQ for Planting and follow-up care questions
  

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.

2023 Tree Selections

More Frequently Asked Questions

Past Plantings 

Mature Tree Care

Protecting Trees

Email: TreesForNeighborhoods@Seattle.gov

Call: (206) 684-3979