To increase Bellevue's tree canopy and bring the benefits of trees to all Bellevue residents, the city launched an annual tree giveaway in 2021. To improve access to trees across the community, the program prioritizes applications based on neighborhood tree equity score.
Why Participate
The city has a goal of 40% tree canopy by 2050. To achieve that goal, we need to plant 75,000 trees over the next 30 years and preserve our existing trees. If every household in Bellevue plants a tree, we will be well on our way to achieving our goal!
Overview
So far, the city has given away 700 trees in 2021 and 2024, 1,000 in 2022 and 800 in 2023 to support our character as "a city in a park." In fall of 2025, the City of Bellevue will host its 5th annual Tree Giveaway, distributing hundreds of trees to residents and community organizations. When you participate in our Tree Giveaway you receive:
- Free trees (up to two for residents, and up to 20 for community organizations)
- Training on proper planting and care
- Reminders about tree care
- Optional (but recommended!) tree watering bag and mulch
- Optional "We Love Our Trees" yard sign (quantities limited!)
Application
The application period for the 2024 Tree Giveaway is now closed. Applications for the 2025 Giveaway will open in summer 2025. Sign up for the Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) Newsletter for up-to-date info on all our efforts, including information on next year's Tree Giveaway!
Comments from Tree Giveaway Participants
"I can select trees, contribute to nature and receive planting instructions all in one package!"
"Having the experts select the most appropriate tree for different neighborhoods increase tree diversities and gives more confidence to residents who otherwise hesitated on what to plant in their yards."
Resources
Choosing the Right Tree(s)
The City of Bellevue believes in planting the "right tree in the right place". Selecting an appropriate location for a new tree promotes healthy growth and minimizes future maintenance costs and damage to infrastructure.
Factors to consider when choosing your planting site include:
- Soil type
- Sun exposure
- Size of site
- Distance from structures, property boundaries, and aboveground and underground utility lines
For more information, please consult the 2024 Tree Giveaway Webinar, available here as a video recording and here as a slideshow.
How to Plant a Tree Guide and Video
Learn about how to plant a tree the right way before you take home your tree. Check out our illustrated guide on how to plant a tree and use a watering bag.
- 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)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How are trees assigned to participants?
A: We have a limited supply of trees. Because our program focuses on getting trees where they are needed the most, we tree selection for residents in neighborhoods with lower Tree Equity Score. We also give preference to residents who have not received a tree from us in the past.
Q: Why didn’t I get assigned one of my top choice trees?
A: We have a limited supply of trees. Due to our equity focus, we first assign trees to residents who live in neighborhoods with lower Tree Equity Score. We also prioritize applicants who have not participated in the Bellevue Tree Giveaway in the past. We are happy to recommend some local nurseries who provide trees across a range of species, sizes, and budgets. Please also consider participating in the spring tree giveaway hosted by our partner organization, 300 Trees!
Q: What if I don’t want the tree I was assigned?
A: If you aren’t interested in picking up the tree you were assigned, you can either join our waitlist, or simply leave the program this year. If you choose to join the waitlist, you will receive a ticket allowing you to enter the event and choose from any leftover trees at the end of our event (3-4:30pm) on Saturday, October 26.
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.
Available Trees
Tree Selection
We offer a variety of trees, including evergreen and deciduous trees of various sizes and appearances. We choose our trees based on a variety of factors, including native habitat, current and future climate conditions, ease of maintenance, disease and insect resistance, adaptability to a variety of conditions, appearance, regional availability, and low likelihood of limb failure. Applicants can request first, second, and third choices on their application.
If you have questions or need help evaluating your planting site or available tree choices, please email trees@BellevueWA.gov and we will return your inquiry as soon as possible!
Residents
Get up to 2 Free Trees
Bellevue residents are eligible to receive up to two free trees per household to plant in their yard.
These trees are intended to be planted on the applicant's property, not along the street in the right of way, or in any other public space.
For residents unable to pick up their assigned trees, we encourage you to send your pickup event ticket to a friend or family member. For those without any access to a vehicle, we have very limited capacity to deliver trees in select circumstances. For those with particular physical limitations, we will have very limited tree planting assistance available during the month of October. If indicated on your application, we will reach out to arrange assistance.
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.
Tree Equity
Tree Equity
Our commitment to creating inclusive and equitable opportunities in Bellevue as part of our Diversity Advantage Initiative applies to our urban forest along with other city programs. The Diversity Advantage Plan guides city programs through a set of actions that help our city and city programs grow in cultural competency and appeal to more of our communities.
We studied other tree giveaways around the country (major articles here and here) and discovered that community members most in need were the least likely to receive trees. This means that people who live in areas with high existing tree canopy and high community investment were more likely to participate in tree giveaways than diverse communities. The intent of free giveaways is to help people plant trees, increase tree canopy overall, and help people learn about nature. If most of the trees are going to areas with already high tree canopy and resources, the gap in access to environmental resources continues to widen. In Bellevue, neighborhoods with the lowest canopy cover are also our most diverse. We know that trees won't eliminate disparities and access to resources by themselves, but they are a step toward equitable access to programs and resources in our city.
In Bellevue, income level, immigration status, race, and a myriad of other reasons determine where people live. Where we live has a huge impact on every part of our lives and tree canopy impacts many of them. In general, people who live near trees experience less stress, are less likely to develop heart disease, are less likely to develop a mental illness, do better in school, have more community connections, are less likely to live in an under-resourced or under-served community, and much, much more. Trees are good for us but are just one indicator of investment in communities. This program's aim is to give all our communities additional environmental resources for a healthy, sustainable and equitable future.
There are multiple barriers for many to participate in this kind of program. Sometimes people may not hear about a program because they speak a different language, use different social media, or participate in different projects that our traditional outreach methods haven't served. Some issues, like a lack of trust in government services, can require more nuance to resolve. To start addressing these issues, we are taking the following steps:
- Working with a consultant who has experience working with diverse groups to build community relationships
- Focusing additional resources on reach diverse Bellevue community members
- Trying new outreach strategies
- Offering smaller, flowering and fruiting trees that are more appropriate for small spaces
- Offering trees that are similar to those seen in Latin America and China (our target language outreach groups)
- Providing tree education to help address gaps in tree knowledge and tree care
- If demand outpaces supply, we will weight applications based on the applicant's Tree Equity Score and language(s) spoken to ensure diverse applicants receive trees