How to Get a Free Tree From Your City

Every spring, my residential block lights up with cherry blossoms. They eventually start raining down like pink snow and people stop their cars or while walking to take photos. And every year, I smile like I have a secret because I know that those trees were free. It wasn’t until I moved to Portland that I learned about tree giveaways, but it turns out they're all over the country. There’s a good chance you can get a free tree or two where you live, too. 

Why do cities give away free trees? 

We don’t give trees enough credit. The overcanopy they provide creates shade, which is essential for homes, people and businesses. Trees collect and store storm water in our soil and lower erosion; they purify the air and act as noise buffers. Aesthetically, they alter the public image of a neighborhood, raising property values.

A study by the Nature Conservancy found that poorer neighborhoods have fewer trees. That means the residents of those neighborhoods aren’t just deprived of trees, but all the benefits listed above. 

Free tree programs aim to increase density of trees across a city, but also to eliminate the financial barriers for obtaining trees, creating equity among neighborhoods. These programs can specifically provide the kinds of trees best suited for a neighborhood, and also educate the new tree owners on how to maintain the trees. 

How do I find out if my city has a free tree giveaway?

There are so many of these programs, there are too many to list. It’s likely any metropolis has a program, so search for “[city name], free trees.” Sometimes these are offered by private groups, like in Boca Raton through Community Greening; sometimes by utilities, like Salt River Project in Phoenix; and some cities do giveaways themselves, like in Vancouver, Washington. 

What kinds of trees are given away?

The kinds of trees you can get depend on your area, because in almost all cases, these programs focus on natives and trees that will do particularly well where you are. For instance, in Tampa, the Tree-Mendous Program offers Florida natives like the Florida Maple and Bald Cypress; SRP in Arizona offers Mesquite and Palo Verde. You’ll have to find your local program to learn what trees (and sometimes, shrubs) are available. 

Who owns the trees?

In general, the homeowner owns the tree, but will sign an agreement of care with the gifting agency. This will spell out a commitment to watering and maintenance, usually for the first year of the tree.