Published July 28 2025
The City of Bellevue is giving out free trees to residents and community organizations through its fifth annual Tree Giveaway. Open to all Bellevue residents and community organizations, the program is a partnership with 300 Trees and Amazon that distributes 700 trees annually, with a variety of species available to best meet the needs of each recipient.
The application period will remain open through Tuesday, Aug. 26, or until all trees have been claimed. Applicants can choose from nine different species – including coast redwood, bigleaf maple and southern magnolia – to ensure they receive the best tree for their unique planting conditions. After completing the short application, applicants will be assigned a tree ordering date, on which they can choose the species they want, based on what’s still available.
Trees will be given out at this year’s tree distribution event, Saturday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at Bannerwood Sports Park. Those interested in receiving a free tree can visit Tree Giveaway to learn more about each available species and how to best select the right tree for the right place.
In addition to trees, community members at this year’s giveaway will also receive free watering bags and mulch for their saplings, along with instructions on how to plant a tree. Tree species vary each year and are selected based on availability and suitability for Bellevue’s changing climate.
Since the program’s inception, the city has given out more than 3,200 trees – distributing up to two trees to each applicant and up to 20 trees each to community organizations each year.
Tree canopy – which consists of mature trees planted in groups – absorbs greenhouse gases and improves overall air quality. When summer heat rises, tree canopy provides critical shade that helps to reduce temperatures. Bellevue’s trees also slow stormwater runoff, which can damage infrastructure and homes.
In 2021, Bellevue achieved its goal of 40% tree canopy coverage citywide; however, Bellevue’s tree canopy has remained uneven. The city prioritizes placing trees in areas that would achieve the most benefits from increased tree canopy.