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City of Bellevue, WA Community Development
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Tree Giveaway

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    Trees

    • Tree Giveaway

    Applications for the 2025 Tree Giveaway open on July 25 and close on August 26 or when all trees have been claimed. Tree distribution will be on October 25 from 9 am- 3 pm at Bannerwood Sports Park.  

    New Application Process 

    This year, we’ve updated the Tree Giveaway application process to allow applicants to choose the tree species that fits their unique planting conditions.  

    Applications will open on July 25 and will be available on this page. .After applying, applicants will receive an email to access the tree ordering form and select the tree species they would like to receive. Applicants will be able to order tress starting August 8 (or earlier for applicants living in priority canopy areas). Don’t wait to submit your application until the tree ordering form opens—applicants will be sent reminders to order their trees when the ordering form is available.  

    The application and order form will close August 26, or after all trees have been claimed. Participants will receive trees at this year’s distribution event on October 25 at Bannerwood Sports Park.  

    Before applying, please take a look at our species list to find the right tree for your space.  

    Program Overview

    The Tree Giveaway Program helps Bellevue maintain our citywide canopy cover goal of 40% while strategically increasing canopy in neighborhoods with less trees. Read our Tree Canopy Assessment for more information on tree canopy distribution across Bellevue.  

    Since 2021, our program partners Amazon and 300 Trees have helped the City of Bellevue offer free trees to community members, helping everyone in our community access the benefits of a healthy urban forest. To date, the program has distributed over 3000 trees to residents and community organizations.  

    This fall will mark our 5th giveaway. Program participants receive:  

    • Free trees (up to two for residents, and up to 20 for community organizations)
    • Training on proper planting and care
    • Optional (but recommended!) free tree watering bag and mulch
    • Optional "We Love Our Trees" yard sign (quantities limited!)  

    Why Participate?

    Graphic illustration of tree canopy benefits, including mental health, cleaner air, stormwater management, and carbon sequestration.

    Urban tree canopy has a host of environmental and health benefits. A healthy urban canopy can mitigate flooding, take pollutants out of our air and watersheds, and keep neighborhoods cool during heat waves. As we prepare for the impacts of climate change in the next decades, including hotter and more intense heatwaves, healthy, equitably distributed tree canopy is a critical tool in ensuring Bellevue is a resilient and thriving community for generations to come.  

    Right Tree, Right Place

    The City of Bellevue believes in planting the "right tree in the right place". Selecting a tree species that matches the characteristics of your planting site promotes healthy growth and minimizes maintenance costs and damage to infrastructure.  

     

    Diagram illustrating how to plant a tree to avoid structural damage.

    When you select your tree species, consider:  

    Structures 

    • Are there aboveground power lines that may interfere with the tree at maturity?
    • Will the tree be a safe distance away from structures? Trees should be planted 30 ft away from corner curbs, 20 ft from street lights and other trees, 10 ft from buildings, and 5 ft from driveways, sidewalks, and property lines. Also consider how your tree’s mature size will fit in your space.
    • Are there underground utility lines that may be disrupted? Always call 811 before you dig to get these marked for free! 

    Environmental Factors 

    • How much sun does your desired planting location get?
    • Is your soil well-drained or does it retain moisture?  

    Benefits

    What benefits do you want to receive from your tree? (I want...)

    ...to provide as many benefits to my neighborhood as possible!  

    If you have the space, we encourage you to try out one of our large native trees. These heavy hitters take lots of greenhouse gases out of atmosphere and uptake large amounts of pollutants and stormwater.  

    We recommend:  

    • Coast Redwood
    • Douglas Fir
    • Bigleaf Maple 

    ...a small tree to fit in a compact space or under powerlines. 

    We recommend:  

    • Vine Maple
    • Pacific Wax Myrtle
    • Black Hawthorne 

    ... a flowering tree with all-season appeal. 

    • Pacific Wax Myrtle
    • Magnolia ‘Brackens Brown Beauty’ 

    ... edible fruit. 

    • Serviceberry 

    ... To save money on my AC bill in the summer and block wind in the winter. 

    • Western cedar ‘Excelsa’
    • Douglas Fir
    • Coast Redwood 

    Check out our tree catalog for more specific species considerations.  

    Planting and Caring for Your Tree 

    Learn about how to plant a tree the right way before you bring it home.  

    • How to Plant a Tree Guide (also available in español and 中文)
    • 5-minute How to Plant a Tree Video, where you can watch us plant a tree (subtitled versions available in español, Русский, 한국인,  繁體中文 and 简体中文)

    Equity  

    Trees offer many benefits, such as preventing flooding, improving air quality and providing shade that helps keep neighborhoods cool. But current tree canopy isn’t evenly distributed across Bellevue. While the city as a whole boasts a tree canopy cover of 40%, coverage in certain neighborhoods is as low as 11%. Broadly speaking, communities of color and low-income communities also have historically had fewer mature trees.  

    Using information from our 2021 Tree Canopy Assessment, we’ve selected priority canopy areas. Our 2025 application process gives residents in priority canopy areas an earlier order window.  

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    Q: I rent my home. Can I apply? 

    Renters are encouraged to apply for trees with property manager approval! Multifamily properties can apply for up to 20 trees through our organizational application.  

    Q: I have accessibility constraints and can’t attend the giveaway/plant my tree. 

    Due to limited staff capacity, we are only able to offer delivery or planting in very specific circumstances. You can select this on the application. If you are able, please have a friend or family member pick up your tree instead. Contact us at trees@bellevuewa.gov for more information. 

    Q: Can someone else pick up my tree for me? 

    A: Yes! We will send you an entry ticket after you sign up for a time slot or join the waitlist, and if necessary, you may forward the ticket to the person picking up your tree. They must present your ticket in order to pick up your tree. If the pick-up person is also getting a tree, they may pick up your tree as well as their tree at the same time, even if you signed up for different pick-up appointment times. 

    Q: Can I still pick up my tree if I miss my pick-up appointment? 

    A: Yes, as long as you arrive before the event ends. We give away ALL leftover trees to waitlist participants at the end of the event, so be sure to arrive before 3pm on Saturday, October 26 if you want to secure your assigned tree.   

    Q: Will the trees fit in my car? 

    A: In general, the trees we give away should fit in all standard cars. They come in 5 gallon pots and will stand between 3-8 feet tall. In past years, people have picked up trees in sports coupes, convertibles, and bicycle trailers! 

    Q: How long can I wait to plant my tree after I receive it? 

    A: In general, the sooner you can plant your tree, the better. We recommend waiting no more than two weeks before planting. 

    Q: If I miss this year's event, can I get a free tree elsewhere? 

    A: Yes! The City of Bellevue holds a tree giveaway every October - sign up here to be notified of future events. Every March, our partner organization 300 Trees holds a tree giveaway - sign up here for their newsletter to be notified of their events. 

     

    Renters

    Individual Renter Households can get up to 2 Free Trees; Multifamily Properties can get up to 20 Free Trees

    Renters living in a single-family home or multifamily buildings, such as a condo, townhome, or apartment, can apply through the resident application (available summer 2025). Written consent from the property manager or owner will need to be submitted. Residents can receive up to two trees per household.

    Multifamily housing property owners or managers can apply through the organization application (available summer 2025). Multifamily properties can receive up to 20 trees. 

    Community Organizations and Schools

    Get up to 20 Free Trees

    Trees are also available for local businesses, schools, and community organizations! Eligible community organizations include places of worship, non-profits, small businesses, schools, and other organizations providing a community benefit. Community organizations may receive up to 20 trees for their properties. We can also work with you to help determine the right number and type of trees for your available space.

    Please feel free to contact us directly or indicate on your application if you would like a consultation, or to schedule a site visit. During our consultation we can review site conditions (amount of space, any obstacles, etc.) as well as summer watering and maintenance plans. 

    Please email trees@BellevueWA.gov with any questions you may have. You can apply for trees through the organization application (available summer 2025).

    Educational Opportunities

    Is your group interested in learning more about trees and sustainability in Bellevue? Contact trees@BellevueWA.gov to schedule a workshop.

    Tree Care and Requirements

    Tree Care and Requirements

    Trees are living, growing things and require some ongoing care to thrive, especially in the first few years after planting. We will provide resources on tree planting and care for young trees as well as summer watering reminders to help you succeed. To ensure your tree has the best chance of growing up healthy, we ask that you commit to the following actions to prepare to adopt a new tree:

    • Choose the right tree for the right place. If you have a larger space, we encourage you to consider planting a larger tree.
    • Properly plant your tree, water your tree each summer for 3-5 years and care for your tree for its life
    • Assume future responsibility for maintenance, including summer watering, pruning, raking, etc.
    • Learn about the basics of tree care to help your tree thrive! View our training video and resources on tree planting. 

    Volunteer to Help

    Help Us Plant Trees

    We will need assistance from volunteers when we distribute trees, as well as help with delivery and planting for selected residents and community organizations. If you'd like to volunteer to help at our distribution event or plant trees for people who need assistance, sign-ups will be available in September to help. No experience is necessary, and we will provide training. Volunteers must be age 14 or over.

    Stay Informed

    Sign-up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the Environmental Stewardship Plan

    Subscribe

    Community Development

    Loren Pacheco
    Sustainability and Urban Forestry Specialist

    Telephone
    425-229-6602
    Email
    trees@bellevuewa.gov

    Reasonable Accommodation

    For alternate formats, interpreters, or reasonable modification requests please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-6800 (voice) or email servicefirst@bellevuewa.gov. For complaints regarding modifications, contact the City of Bellevue ADA, Title VI, and Equal Opportunity Officer at ADATitleVI@bellevuewa.gov.

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