The city is once again offering free trees to residents who would like to plant in their yards. Applications will be accepted until October 24. Here is all the program information:

The Trees for Neighborhoods program helps Seattle residents plant trees in their yards and along their streets. Participants in the program receive:

* Free trees
* Watering bags
* Training on proper planting and care
* Coupon for free Groco compost
* Ongoing care reminders and workshop opportunities

Find Available Species online.

Program Rules:

* Trees can be planted anywhere in residential yards, but must be planted at the address on the application.
* Permits are required if planting street trees – reLeaf staff will coordinate acquiring permits. Receiving a permit is not guaranteed. No permit is required for yard trees.
* You must be present at the planting training to pick up your tree(s). All trees should be planted shortly after receiving them.
* The number of trees approved for your yard may be fewer than the number requested. Please note that tree availability is not guaranteed.
* If you do not own your home, you must obtain the permission of the homeowner.

Tree supply is limited and applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis, so apply early!

Things to Consider When Selecting Your Tree(s):

* To avoid future problems, trees must be planted at least 5 ft. from underground utility lines, 10 ft. from power poles, 20 ft. from street lights or other trees, and 30 ft. from a corner curb. To make sure your site meets minimum distance requirements, identify any underground utilities that may impact the location of your trees BEFORE you submit this application.
* To identify where your sewer lines are, click here.
* To identify where your other underground utilities are, call the utility locator service at 800-424-5555. This service does not mark sewer lines. Indicate that you have a “pre-planning locate request,” and that you will not be digging right away, but need the sites marked BEFORE you submit your application. A representative from each utility will come out to mark the locations of their buried lines near your site. For more information, including color codes, visit the Utility Notification Center.
* Do not plant a tall tree under power lines. Trees planted under power lines should reach a maximum of 20’ at maturity or the safety of the power lines will be compromised.
* Take time to evaluate sites on your property where trees can fit. The survival and health of the tree depends on how well it is suited to the spot that you plant it. Consider: placement (is there enough space for this tree when it grows up?), light, moisture, and type of soil.
* Many of these trees will get big! Read descriptions carefully and envision what the tree will look like in 30+ years. Larger trees provide greater benefits to your neighborhood and our environment than smaller trees. They control more water, provide more shade in the summer, breathe in more carbon dioxide and breathe out more oxygen than smaller trees. For these reasons, the City of Seattle recommends planting larger trees whenever appropriate.
* All trees are 5 gallon sized container trees, with the exception of the Asian pear, which is a 10 gallon container tree.
* Your young trees will not survive the dry summer without you giving them water and care! Water bags will be provided to help you water the trees in the summer.

Consider Planting a Large Tree!

Large trees provide greater benefits to the community than do small trees, reducing stormwater runoff, filtering air pollution and providing shade to cool summer temperatures. The National Tree Benefits Calculator estimates that the value of the annual benefits provided by a 30-inch magnolia is $99 versus $262 for a Douglas fir.

Because of the greater benefits large trees provides, we encourage you to plant the largest tree suitable for the site you have chosen. Only small trees should be planted under power lines.

Ready to Apply?

Download Mail-in Application (pdf)

Apply Online

Make sure you review the program rules, things to consider, and available species before applying.

We are currently sold out of Asian pear, paperbark maple, Japanese snowbell, and Eastern redbud. You may still apply for these trees, but will be placed on a waitlist.

If you have questions about the program after reading the information on this page, please contact TreesforNeighborhoods AT seattle.gov or call 206-615-1668.

Don’t go dormant with your garden in the fall. Ideally it is the time to transplant your trees. Timing is one of the important considerations when you are planning a tree transplant. It is easier to transplant trees and shrubs when they are dormant. This is the period after the leaves turn in fall and before the spring growth begins. However, not to worry if you missed the ideal time because it is possible to transplant trees during the growing season with additional steps and treatments.

Everyone is aware the many benefits of trees, and there is recognizable value in retaining large trees in the landscape through transplanting. It’s the idea that if you already own a valuable asset, by all means keep it. The value on your home increases with a mature landscape, especially with specimen trees. Typically, the cost of replacing a tree rather than transplanting that particular tree, is anywhere from two to ten times the transplant cost.

The success of transplants depends on the tree species, the health of the tree prior to the transplant, the characteristics of the new planting site, the amount of post transplant care and of course the method of transplanting itself. The size of tree that can be relocated is limited only by ability and financial resources.

With twenty years of experience Big Trees, Inc. has developed careful transplanting techniques that lead to a 98% survivability rate of small to large specimen size trees. Transplanting trees is more skill and art rather than brute force. Experienced crews use specialized tools and careful techniques to ensure that each tree is dug properly. Root balls often appear shallow but this is because the majority of a tree’s root system responsible for supplying water and nutrients lies within the first few feet of soil.

Transplant aftercare is important when determining the success of a transplant. A transplanted tree has lost significant root mass and will require additional watering and fertilizer during the first and second growing season. Adding a two to four inch layer of organic mulch is also beneficial. Mulch reduces water loss, increases water absorption, lessens temperature fluctuations and adds nutrients to the soil. Just be sure to pull the mulch layer away at least six inches from the base of the trunk. When mulch is pilled against the trunk rot can occur.

If you have questions about transplanting please contact Big Trees, Inc. Our staff of knowledgeable horticulturalists can determine the likelihood of a successful transplant.