City taking applications for free trees

Published July 5 2024

For a fourth year in a row, the City of Bellevue is handing out free trees to residents and community organizations. This year, we're giving away 700 trees, including flowering, evergreen and deciduous varieties in a range of sizes.

All Bellevue residents, including renters (with written permission from the property manager or owner), are eligible. Applications and details are available at BellevueWA.gov/treegiveaway.

• solicitar árboles gratis
• 申請免費樹木
• 申请免费树木
• 무료 나무 신청
• подать заявку на бесплатные деревья

To improve access to trees across the community, the city is prioritizing applications from neighborhoods with lower tree equity scores, where there are generally fewer trees.

Applicants should determine the conditions of their planting sites (dry? shaded?) before they apply. A tree reference chart on the tree giveaway page can help people find a species to match the planting conditions at their home or organization.

The giveaway itself will be on Oct. 25 and 26. Residents can pick up the trees themselves or have a friend or neighbor do it for them. Residents can also receive free watering bags and mulch.

Applicants will be notified of their selection status around early September.

Tree canopy (mature trees, often in groups) improves air quality and absorbs greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Bellevue's trees also slow stormwater runoff, which can damage infrastructure and homes. Finally, as summers in our region heat up, trees provide critical shade that keeps us cool.

The city gave away 700 free trees in 2021, 1,000 in 2022 and 750 in 2023 to individuals and organizations in Bellevue.