How to Get a Free Tree From Your City
Every spring, my residential area lights up with cherry blossoms. Eventually they start raining down like pink snow and people stop their cars or walk to take photos. And every year I smile like I have a secret because I know those trees were free . It wasn’t until I moved to Portland that I learned about tree gifts, but it turns out they are all over the country. There’s a good chance you can get a free tree or two where you live.
Why do cities give away trees for free?
We don’t pay enough attention to trees. The canopy they provide creates the shade that is essential for homes, people and businesses. Trees collect and store stormwater in our soil and reduce erosion; they purify the air and act as noise buffers. Aesthetically, they change the public image of an area, increasing property values.
A study by the Nature Conservancy found that poor areas have fewer trees. This means that the residents of these neighborhoods are deprived not only of trees, but also of all the above benefits.
Free tree programs aim to increase tree density throughout the city as well as remove financial barriers to obtaining trees, creating equity among neighborhoods. These programs can specifically provide the tree species best suited to an area, as well as train new tree owners on how to care for them.
How can I find out if there is a free Christmas tree giveaway in my city?
There are so many such programs that it is impossible to list them. Any metropolitan area likely has such a program, so search for “[city name], free trees.” Sometimes they are offered by private groups, such as in Boca Raton through Community Greening ; sometimes by utilities, such as the Salt River project in Phoenix; and some cities hand out the gifts themselves, such as Vancouver, Washington .
What trees are given?
The types of trees you can get depend on your area, because in almost all cases these programs focus on local residents and trees that do particularly well where you are. In Tampa, for example, the Tree-Mendous program offers Florida natives such as Florida maple and bald cypress; SRP in Arizona offers Mesquite and Palo Verde. You will need to find a local program to see what trees (and sometimes shrubs) are available.
Who owns the trees?
Typically, the homeowner owns the tree but signs a care agreement with the donation agency. This will mean the need for watering and maintenance, usually during the first year of the tree’s life.