Get Free Trees For Your Street Or Yard Through City Program

 The City of Seattle’s annual Trees for Neighborhoods  program, is offering free trees to Seattle residents to plant in yards in the fall. Each year the program gives away thousands of trees to plant in their yards and parking strips, the space between the sidewalk and the road, or in the space approximately 10 feet from the curb or roadside, in the absence of sidewalks. Many streets in Laurelhurst, including the 4500 block of 46th Avenue NE (pictured below), have participated in the program and have their street lined with beautiful trees.  Applications are now being accepted through August 13 and trees are picked up in the fall, after attending an hour long workshop.  Seattle reLeaf’s Trees for Neighborhoods program participants can receive up to four trees, including fruit trees, evergreen trees and street trees, as well as a free watering bag and mulch for each tree, training on proper tree planting and maintenance, ongoing care reminders, future pruning workshop opportunities and tree evaluations for the first couple of years.  The website information says: Seattle’s trees make our streets more walkable and clean our air and water. Since 2009, Trees for Neighborhoods has helped Seattle residents plant over 8,300 trees, making our neighborhoods greener and healthier.   Urban trees are important for cleaning our water and air, storing carbon, and building community. Trees also calm traffic, making our streets friendly to walk and bike. Larger trees provide the greatest benefits to neighborhoods and our environment because they absorb more storm water, breathe in more carbon dioxide, and breathe out more oxygen than smaller trees.   Since 2009, Trees for Neighborhoods has helped Seattle residents plant over 8,300 trees in their yards and along the street,  making our streets greener, more walkable, and  neighborhoods healthier. Go here for more information, email treesforneighborhoods@seattle.gov or call 206-684-3979.   4500 block of 46th Avenue NE lined with City's free trees

Trees for S

Get Free Trees For Your Street Or Yard Through City Program



The City of Seattle’s annual Trees for Neighborhoods  program, is offering free trees to Seattle residents.  Each year the program gives away thousands of trees to plant in their yards and parking strips, the space between the sidewalk and the road, or in the space approximately 10 feet from the curb or roadside, in the absence of sidewalks.

Many streets in Laurelhurst, including the 4500 block of 46th Avenue NE (pictured below), have participated in the program and have their street lined with beautiful trees. 

On Wednesday, August 2nd, a free workshop is being held at Northgate Community Center (10510 5th Avenue NE) to learn how Trees for Neighborhoods works. Participants can ask questions about which tree is best for their site, the best place to plant it and how to get a street tree planting permit.

Applications are now being accepted through August 14 and trees can be picked up  on  October 21 and October 29 after attending an hour long workshop.  The tree pickup is at nearby Center for Urban Horticulture (3501 NE 41st Street.) 

Seattle reLeaf’s Trees for Neighborhoods program participants can receive up to four trees, including fruit trees, evergreen trees and street trees, as well as a free watering bag and mulch for each tree, training on proper tree planting and maintenance, ongoing care reminders, future pruning workshop opportunities and tree evaluations for the first couple of years.

 The website information says:

Urban trees are important for cleaning our water and air, storing carbon, and building community. Trees also calm traffic, making our streets friendly to walk and bike. Larger trees provide the greatest benefits to neighborhoods and our environment because they absorb more storm water, breathe in more carbon dioxide, and breathe out more oxygen than smaller trees.  

Since 2009, Trees for Neighborhoods has helped Seattle residents plant over 7,300 trees in their yards and along the street. That's 7,300 more trees working to clean our air and water, make our streets more walkable, and our neighborhoods healthier!

Go here for more information, email treesforneighborhoods@seattle.gov or call (206) 615-1668.



 4500 block of 46th Avenue NE lined with City's free trees

City's Tree ambassador Training On Saturday

Katie Beaver, Trees for Seattle Project Manager, with the City of Seattle, would like to share that Trees for Seattle is accepting applications for new volunteer Tree Ambassadors, who serve as local neighborhood advocates for urban trees, help care for and protect Seattle’s trees and trained to lead projects "that inspire residents to appreciate and care for Seattle’s urban forest."

Katie added "We don't yet have a Laurelhurst Tree Walk and we think it’s time!"

Overview training is on Saturday from 1:30 – 4:30pm in Phinney Ridge.

Two projects are available :

Tree Walks: Tree Walks are fun community events that engage residents with the trees surrounding them. Tree Ambassadors develop tours to highlight interesting trees in their neighborhoods and lead their walk as a public event. We introduce Tree Ambassadors to tree identification and teach volunteers skills in map making and organizing community events. After the training, staff will assist Tree Ambassadors in identifying good routes, mapping trees on that route, writing accompanying text, and putting together a public event.

Tree Stewardship: Tree Stewardship projects engage volunteers in caring for public landscapes. Volunteers adopt an available site and organize work parties to weed, mulch, and care for the beautiful public trees that make our neighborhoods greener and healthier.  We teach Tree Ambassadors basic landscaping and site design skills, how to identify and remove aggressive weeds, and how to plan safe and fun events. Staff help volunteers develop a plan, secure supplies, and hold successful community work parties. 


Volunteers need to attend the overview training and at least one project training:

Tree Walk Training: Saturday, May 6th 1pm – 4pm in Rainier Beach

Tree Stewardship Training: Saturday, May 13th 1pm – 5pm in Interbay

The Tree Ambassador program empowers residents to become stewards of the urban forest and serve as resources for their local community. Tree Ambassadors are trained in the basics of urban forestry and community organizing. Tree Ambassadors work in teams to develop neighborhood projects such as tree walks, invasive species removal workdays, and/or tree plantings.

Currently 23 percent of Seattle is covered with tree canopy. The City has a goal to reach 30 percent canopy cover by 2037. The 2011 Tree Ambassador cohort cared for 113 street trees in Capitol Hill, developed a Tree Walk around Greenlake, produced brochures on conifers and ivy, staffed tables at many local neighborhood events, and more.

The Tree Ambassador is a project of the Green Seattle Partnership, a collaboration between the City of Seattle and Forterra. Program work is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry program.

Go here for more information, email treeambassador@seattle.gov or call (206) 615-1668. 

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City Seeking Tree Ambassadors

 

 

Seattle City's Tree Ambassador Program and reLeaf program is accepting applications through tomorrow to become a volunteer to serve as a resource for the neighborhood in various capacities.

 

The information says:

The Tree Ambassador program empowers residents to become stewards of the urban forest and serve as resources for their local community. Tree Ambassadors are trained in the basics of urban forestry and community organizing. Tree Ambassadors work in teams to develop neighborhood projects such as tree walks, invasive species removal workdays, and/or tree plantings. 

Two types of projects are available:

• Tree Walks: ambassadors develop tours to highlight interesting or significant trees in their neighborhoods and lead their walk as a public event. The training includes tree identification, map making, and organizing community events. Seattle reLeaf staff help volunteers identify good routes, map trees on that route, write text, and put together a public event.
• Tree Stewardship: Help care for trees on neighborhood streets and public landscapes. Ambassadors adopt sites and organize work parties to weed, mulch, and care for the trees that make our neighborhoods greener and healthier. Training includes how to care for trees, identify and remove invasive species, properly mulch, and organize fun and safe community events. Seattle reLeaf staff help volunteers develop site plans, organize community work parties, and secure tools, mulch, and other equipment. 

 

 

Upcoming trainings:

• Orientation Training (Required): Thursday, May 26th from 6pm – 8pm at Seattle City Hall
• Tree Walk Training: Saturday, June 4th 10:30 am – 2:30 pm in Rainier Beach
• Tree Stewardship Training: Saturday, June 11th 10am - 3-pm in Wallingford

Go here to learn more about the program.  

For questions email TreeAmbassador@Seattle.gov or call (206) 615-1668.

Free Trees Still Available Through City reLeaf Program

Katie, Seattle reLeaf Project Manager, who coordinates the City of Seattle’s Trees for Neighborhoods program, told us that they are still trying to find homes for the remaining  street trees and the deadline is Wednesday.

Katie said:

Plant a future neighborhood landmark—apply for a white oak, silver linden, tulip tree, or black tupelo for your planting strip! Imagine the awe-inspiring beauty a street tree will someday provide your neighborhood. All of these trees require at least a 7 or 8 foot planting strip with no overhead power lines.  

Ready for a tree? Don’t delay—the application for street trees closes Wednesday, August 27^th! Yard tree applications will be accepted until October.

 

To apply for a street tree visit www.seattle.gov/trees. If you have questions, email TreesforNeighborhoods@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-3979.

Go here for more information.

 

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City Looking For Tree Ambassadors For Tree Walks, Landscape Renewal And Street Tree Stewardship

The City of Seattle's  reLeaf program is looking for new Tree Ambassadors to care for urban trees specifically in the areas of landscape renewal, street tree stewardship and tree walks. No experience is necessary and training is provided.

The information says:

Tree Ambassadors are a valued part of Seattle's urban forestry network. Tree Ambassadors nurture Seattle's trees and have the opportunity to attend a variety of fun and informative workshops on topics like pruning, tree identification, and community engagement.

Tree Ambassadors also get opportunities for unique experiences like learning to climb trees with professional rigging and tours of local botanic treasures.

Training is available in these areas:
 

 

Tree Walks: Show off your favorite local trees and engage your community. Learn the basics of making maps, identifying trees, and creating walking routes.
Next training: Wednesday, March 12 and Saturday, March 15 (attend both).

Landscape Renewal: Plan and organize small-scale renovation projects to improve the health of our local trees. Renovation work includes removing invasive plants, planting trees and understory plants, and mulching.
Next training: Wednesday, April 2 and Saturday, April 5 (attend both).

Street Tree Stewardship: Adopt street tree plantings and help them thrive. Learn to plan work parties and recruit volunteers to mulch, weed, and care for the trees that are essential to making Seattle’s neighborhoods walkable.
Next training: May 17.

Go here for more information or email treeambassador@seattle.gov or call 206-615-1668.

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City's Free Trees For Neighborhoods Program Still Accepting Applications

 



The City's Trees for Neighborhoods Program has one tree species remining, the Austrian pine, and the program coordinator told us "We’d love it if we could find some homes for the trees in Laurelhurst."

Participants in the Trees for Neighborhoods program receive free trees, watering bags, training on proper planting and maintenance, and opportunities for additional workshops such as young tree pruning.

Many streets in Laurelhurst, including the 4500 block of 46th Avenue NE, have participated in the program and have their street lined with beautiful trees.

This year the tree pickup is located very close to Laurelhurst at the Center for Urban Horticulture (3501 NE 41st Street.).

 
Although this one tree is still available, applicants are encouraged to continue to apply for trees currently waitlisted as many will become available in the fall.
 

The Austrian pine is a large conifer reaching an approximate height of 40’ and a spread of 25’ at maturity. They do best in  yards, as opposed to street treese, as they grow quite large.  The tree has a broad, flat crown and a rough, short trunk with spreading branches. The tree’s dense shiny green foliage provides a good screen or windbreak and is adaptable to a wide variety of urban conditions and soil types and is easy to grow.
 

The trees, planted around Seattle, provide habitat for birds, stabilize steep slopes, reduce surface run-off year-round by absorbing rainwater, and cut energy costs by providing a natural windbreak in the winter and shade in the summer.
 

To apply on-line go here and for more information go here, call 206-615-1668 or email treesforneighborhoods@seattle.gov.

 

Get FreeTrees For Your Street Or Yard Through City Program

 

The City of Seattle’s annual Trees for Neighborhoods  program, a program of Seattle reLeaf, is offering free trees to Seattle residents.  Each year the program gives away thousands of trees are give to residents to plant in their yards and parking strips.

Many streets in Laurelhurst, including the 4500 block of 46th Avenue NE, have participated in the program and have their street lined with beautiful trees. 

This year the tree pickup is located very close to Laurelhurst  at the Center for Urban Horticulture (3501 NE 41st Street.).   

Seattle reLeaf’s Trees for Neighborhoods program participants can receive up to four trees, including fruit trees, evergreen trees, street trees, as well as free watering bags for each tree, training on proper tree planting and maintenance, and  informative workshop opportunities on topics like young tree pruning.  

Applications are now being accepted for thirteen tree species, including Galaxy Magnolia, Tall Stewartia, Emerald Sunshine Elm, Mountain Hemlock, and June Snow Dogwood.  Here is the complete tree list.

Applications for street trees are due September 1st and for yard trees on October 11th.  Residents are urged to apply early as many species are claimed quickly. Trees can be picked up between October 19th or November 3rd.

The website information says:

Urban trees are important for cleaning our water and air, storing carbon, and building community. Trees also calm traffic, making our streets friendly to walk and bike. Larger trees provide the greatest benefits to neighborhoods and our environment because they absorb more storm water, breathe in more carbon dioxide, and breathe out more oxygen than smaller trees.

If space allows, Seattle reLeaf recommends residents plant larger trees whenever appropriate. This year, consider planting one of the larger trees offered through the program, such as an Oriental Spruce, Austrian Pine, or native Mountain Hemlock!

Go here for more information, email treesforneighborhoods@seattle.gov or call (206) 615-1668.

Application Deadline Sunday For City's Free Trees For Neighborhood Program

Seattle reLeaf still has free trees for residential yards available through the Trees for Neighborhoods program and the deadline to submit an application is Sunday.

The Trees for Neighborhoods program helps Seattle residents plant trees around their homes.

Participants in the program receive:
·           Free trees (up to 4 per household)
·           Watering bags
·           Training on proper planting and care
·           Coupon for free GroCo compost
·           Ongoing care reminders and workshop opportunities

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 and receiving a permit is not guaranteed. No permit is required for yard trees.

Tree supply is limited and applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Some of the trees available are Western Red Cedar,Japanese Cedar and Fernleaf Beech.

Participants must attend a planting and care workshop on October 27 or November 10 when the trees are picked up.

All tree pickup and planting workshops will be held at Rainier Beach Urban Farm, 5513 S Cloverdale Street. 

For questions about the program contact TreesforNeighborhoods@seattle.gov or call 206-615-1668.

Volunteer With City's Tree Ambassador Program

Seattle City's Tree Ambassador Program is accepting applications through Monday to become a volunteer to serve as a resource for the neighborhood.

The information says:

The Tree Ambassador program empowers residents to become stewards of the urban forest and serve as resources for their local community. Tree Ambassadors are trained in the basics of urban forestry and community organizing. Tree Ambassadors work in teams to develop neighborhood projects such as tree walks, invasive species removal workdays, and/or tree plantings. 

Currently 23 percent of Seattle is covered with tree canopy. The City has a goal to reach 30 percent canopy cover by 2037. The 2011 Tree Ambassador cohort cared for 113 street trees in Capitol Hill, developed a Tree Walk around Greenlake, produced brochures on conifers and ivy, staffed tables at many local neighborhood events, and more! 

The Tree Ambassador is a project of the Green Seattle Partnership, a collaboration between the City of Seattle and Forterra. Program work is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry program.

Go here to learn more about the program and apply to be in a team of two to four people to serve as local neighborhood
advocates for urban trees. Individuals can also apply, but will be put into a team with others who live close by to them.

Free Trees Still Available For Pick-Up Tomorrow

A reader sent us the below information from Jessica, who runs the Trees for Neighborhoods Program.  She says that free trees are still available and can be picked up tomorrow  from 10-2pm at the Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands (5513 South Cloverdale Steet).

After Sunday's workshop, we had a number of conifer trees left without homes! We have re-opened applications for conifers to be planted in yards, and I am hoping that you can help me spread the word.

If you have friends or neighbors who love trees, live within the City of Seattle, and have space to plant some big trees in their yard, please send them to the Trees for Neighborhoods website to apply. 
Also, if you received less than the maximum of 4 trees per household and you think that you might like to add some conifers to your own yard, feel free to fill out another application.

Available trees include Deodar cedar, Weeping Alaska cedar, Shore pine, and Western red cedar. You can find out more information about each of these species, along with links to pictures here.

Here is a previous post we did 2 weeks ago about the program.

If you are interested in more deciduous trees for your yard,  unclaimed trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 2:30 pm  tomorrow at the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands.

Deadline For Free Trees Today

The City is again offering free trees to residents to plant in their yards through the Trees For Neighborhoods Program which helps Seattle residents plant trees in their yards and along their streets.

Applications are accepted through 5pm today.

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

Here are the 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.

Trees that are currently sold out are Tupelo, Weeping Alaska cedar, Pink-flowering Kousa dogwood, Asian pear, paperbark maple, Japanese snowbell, Rivers purple beech, and Eastern redbud.  Applicants can still apply for these trees and be put on a waitlist.

For complete information and an application go here.

For questions about the program contact TreesforNeighborhoods@seattle.gov or call 206-615-1668.

Applications Due Thursday For City's Free Trees Progam

The City of Seattle's Trees For Neighborhood Program is once again offering free trees and applications are due September 1st.

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  and ongoing care reminders and workshop opportunities.

Some of the rules are:

• Trees should be planted anywhere in residential yards, but must be planted at the address on the application. 
• Participants must obtain permits if planting street trees – reLeaf staff will coordinate acquiring permits. Receiving a permit is not guaranteed. No permit is required for yard trees.
• Participant must be present at the planting training to pick up the tree(s), which should be planted shortly after receiving them.
• The number of trees approved for particiant's yard may be fewer than the number requested as tree availability is not guaranteed. 
• Tree supply is limited and applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis, so apply early!

Particpants are encouraged to read descriptions carefully of each tree and envision what the tree will look like in 30+ years.

The City says that "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. "

Trees will be available in late October and early November.  Yard tree applications are due by October 24th.

To apply on-line go here and for more information go here or call 206-615-1668.

Free Trees Available This Saturday at Magnuson Park

Jana, a certified arborist with the City's' reLeaf program, sent out email that the City of Seattle’s Trees for Neighborhoods program has a number of trees that were unclaimed by original applicants to the program a few weeks ago and are now available for free on a first-come, first served basis this Saturday, from 10– 2pm at the EarthCorps nursery in Magnuson Park (6310 NE 74th Street, Seattle).

Terms of eligibility:

· You must be a Seattle resident and plant the trees on your property.
· Trees should be planted in your yard. In order to plant street trees, you must have a permit from SDOT. Information on street tree permits can be found here.
· Participants new to the program must go through a brief, 15-minute planting training in order to receive trees.
· There is a 4-tree per household limit.
· Trees are your property and not the City of Seattle’s – you must agree to care for the trees yourself.

Available species:

- Little gem magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little gem’)
- Serviceberry* (Amelanchier arborea )
- Italian plum* (fruiting)
- Dogwood* (Cornus x ‘Venus’)
- Shore pine (Pinus contorta)
- Katsura* (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
- Western red cedar (Thuja plicata ‘Excelsa’)
- Red oak* (Quercus rubra)
- Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

These trees are bare root, rather than in pots. Bare root trees easier to move, tend to be healthier and have fewer root problems than potted trees; however they will need to be planted the same day you receive them. Bare root trees will dry out and die quickly if left unplanted.  More information on these species can be found here.

To check on the availability of trees before going to Magnuson, call (206) 793-2454. The voicemail message will be updated at 11:00, 12:00 and 1:00 with current species availability.

The nursery is in Magnuson Park, just east of Hangar 30 and behind the building called “the Brig” that houses Outdoors for All and Gymboree. Go in the main entrance at NE 74th St., drive past the small ‘guard station’ under the brick archway and continue straight east towards the dog park until the 4-way stop sign.  Turn left at that intersection and drive north towards the chain link fence, then turn right by the row of cedar trees to drive into a smaller parking lot behind the Brig. You will see the table and canopy set up next to the nursery.

City of Seattle Offering Four Free Trees Per Household

The City of Seattle, through the reLeaf Program, is offering up to four free trees per household.

Applications to participate are due no later than Monday, December 6th.

In addition to receiving four trees, participants will also be given watering bags, a bag of GroCo compost, and training on proper tree planting and care.

And according to the releaf website, the best time for planing trees is now with all the rain. Here are some tips for planting trees and which to select.

 

According to the reLeaf website, "planting trees is a great way to lower your carbon footprint. An average city tree will absorb about a ton of harmful carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Urban trees also help keep our water clean, our air breathable, provide habitat for birds and other wildlife and make Seattle a vibrant place to live and work."

To participate you must meet these guidelines:

• Live in Seattle, and plant the tree on your property (renters must have their landlord's permission)
• Plant the trees in your yard, and not as street trees
• Do not plant the trees under power lines (these are large trees that will eventually grow into the lines)
• Commit to caring for the tree in the future, including watering for the first 3 summers

 

Some available trees are:

 

1. Shore pine (Pinus contorta ‘Contorta’)
2. Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
3. Red oak (Quercus rubra)
4. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata ‘Excelsa’)
5. Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

You can fill out the application here.

 

For questions contact Jana Dilley with
Seattle reLeaf at jana.dilley@seattle.gov
or call 206-615-1668.